Officials lift evacuation order for Mima Road area; crews assessing wildfire damage
A fire Tuesday afternoon that burned 290 acres in the Littlerock/Mima Mounds area of south Thurston County was under control Wednesday, West Thurston Fire officials announced via social media.
“We are in transition this morning and it is looking much better,” the post reads. “Crews will be up this morning with mop up and damage assessment.”
Fire officials lifted the Level 3 evacuation Wednesday. About 70 families — around 200 people — had to leave their homes on Tuesday, West Thurston Fire spokeswoman Lanette Dyer said. One family had to be evacuated through brush because a road had been blocked by fire, she said.
Officials were letting local residents back into the area Wednesday, but they emphasized that only those who live in the area will be granted access. “Be prepared to show your ID,” the fire district warned.
Power was still out in the area. Puget Sound Energy information showed about 550 customers in the Littlerock area still without power mid-day Wednesday.
Dyer said crews were focused on extinguishing hot spots Wednesday morning before humidity levels dropped and wind speeds and temperatures rose in the afternoon.
The fire began Tuesday afternoon when a transformer blew and it spread quickly because of sustained winds, The Olympian reported.
The hot, dry and windy weather has resulted in a Red Flag Warning for Puget Sound, which is still in effect. It also has fueled wildfires in the Sumner and Bonney Lake area of Pierce County.
No injuries have been reported, Dyer said, and fire officials confirmed Wednesday that one residence was destroyed by the blaze. However, damage in the area was still being assessed, she said.
Thurston County officials reported Tuesday that four buildings had been damaged.
About 30 fire departments helped fight the blaze, including the state Department of Natural Resources, and crews from Thurston, Grays Harbor and Lewis counties, Dyer said.
A plane from the Moses Lake area also dropped water on the fire on Tuesday, she said.
For those needing shelter for themselves or animals, the American Red Cross can be reached at 571-595-7723. Animal shelter is still available at the Thurston County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 3054 Carpenter Road SE.
This story was originally published September 9, 2020 at 10:02 AM.
