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A wildfire that started in timberland southwest of Pe Ell on Friday has burned about 32 acres as of Sunday, according to the Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team.
Dubbed the “Donkey Fire,” the fire is 7 to 8 miles southwest of Pe Ell in steep terrain. It began just after 2 p.m. on Friday.
DNR helicopters and contracted planes have been dumping water on the blaze intermittently.
On Sunday, crews were focused on fire line construction, using existing roads as control lines.
There are currently no structures under threat and no evacuation orders are in place. However, the public is asked to stay out of the area.
“Firefighters and heavy equipment are working on and around the area roadways,” the Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team stated in an update Sunday. “You can help keep firefighters and the public safe by driving carefully and avoiding these areas.”
Pe Ell School is acting as a base for operations.
The cause of the fire has not been announced.
“Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority on the Donkey Fire,” the Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team stated.
Evacuations, if called for, will be announced at the following phases:
High pressure remains situated over the region, bringing warm and dry conditions to the burn site, according to the incident management team. The wind will be light and westerly over the burn site.
There are currently no road or trail closures.
In addition to the scooper planes and helicopters responding to the fire, there are five engines and tenders and five hand crews with a total of 115 people responding to the blaze.
Stay up to date by following the incident management team on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WWIMT.
