Brush fire northeast of Shelton 40% contained

A 216-acre brush fire burning 3 miles northeast of Shelton was 40 percent contained as of Saturday afternoon, according to a news release.

The fire, which investigators think was set intentionally, did not grow significantly Friday despite large amounts of smoke in the afternoon. Fire crews were unable to finish a fire line Friday night but expected it would be finished Saturday.

The fire began just after 2 p.m. Thursday near East Mason Lake and East MacEwan Prairie roads by Rainbow Lake. The residents of 12 homes near Rainbow Lake and 12 homes on Johns Prairie Road evacuated Thursday night, but they were allowed back home the same night, said DNR information officer Sarah Foster.

A Red Cross shelter set up at the Public Utility District Building off Johns Prairie Road was closed Friday afternoon due to lack of use, according to a news release.

More than 150 people are fighting the fire, including four 20-person crews with 35 engines, two water tenders and two helicopters are available for use. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Mop-up was set to begin Saturday, with firefighters stringing hose and sprinkler lines around the fire. Temperatures were expected to reach the low 70s, with up to 18 mph wind gusts in the afternoon.

Similar weather conditions are expected today with less wind, the release says.

The National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning Saturday for South Sound as winds paired with low humidity increased the chance for fire. The warning was in effect through Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea Krotzer: 360-754-5476
ckrotzer@theolympian.com
theolympian.com/thisjustin
@chelseakrotzer