PORT ANGELES — The Lake Sutherland fire west of Port Angeles is now fully controlled and firefighting crews are monitoring the site daily, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
Thomas Kyle-Milward, DNR spokesperson, said Tuesday that the fire was in 100 percent controlled status.
“All we’re really doing now is monitoring the site,” Kyle-Milward said.
A DNR investigation determined the cause of the fire to be recreation, Kyle-Milward said, as “party debris” was found in the area. Anyone with any information regarding the cause of the fire is asked to call 360-374-2800.
The fire, which started June 17, burned 96 acres of DNR land just off U.S. Highway 101 near the Joyce Access Road. On June 19, the interagency Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire and crews mostly surrounded the burning area.
At one point, up to four homes were at a Level 2 evacuation advisory — warning residents to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice — but those orders were soon downgraded to the lowest level evacuation warning.
A temporary flight restriction over the area was lifted Saturday.
Early in the firefighting operation, up to 150 people and multiple aircraft were involved in combating the fire, but those numbers were reduced as the week went on.
Officials noted the fire came relatively early in the state’s fire season, and they cited a lack of rain for increased fire danger. Both Clallam and Jefferson counties enacted burn bans earlier than expected this year due to dry conditions.
Homeowners near forest areas are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their homes from fire danger such as trimming dead brush and trees.
More information on protecting your home from wildfires is available at dnr.wa.gov/firewise.
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@peninsuladailynews.com.
