Firefighters battle wildfire threatening small Western Washington town

A wildfire that ignited last Wednesday west of Brinnon in Jefferson County, has now burned 398 acres and is less than 10% contained. The blaze has prompted a significant firefighting response from across Washington state and beyond.

Norma Brock, public information officer for the Western Washington Incident Management Team, provided an update on the fire's status.

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"When we initially [started], we were having trouble getting up in the air due to all the heavy smoke and visibility. Once we got air resources we were able to fly around and do better mapping,” Brock said.

The Incident Management Team is collaborating with a team from Georgia on containment efforts. Firefighters are constructing lines around the fire and using a variety of strategies to control its spread. Brock noted that while recent weather has brought rain, it has not been significant enough to impact the fire's behavior. Winds continue to drive the fire's progression, complicating suppression efforts.

Firefighters are working around the clock, focusing on line construction to manage the fire's growth. Containment refers to digging or using natural boundaries that are strong enough to prevent the fire from spreading independently without constant supervision.

Brock said the steep terrain where the fire is burning is complicating the process, making it harder for crews to access the area safely.

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In her 33 years in Brinnon, resident Melissa Sherry has never experienced a wildfire like this, but she said the small town of less than 1,000 people trusts the firefighters to get the job done.

"We trust our fire people. [They’re] doing the best they can. The wind is not helping, and the fire is out of control on Mount Jupiter," Sherry said.

Sherry is one of two people who work at Brinnon’s community center, which she said is well-equipped to support evacuees if needed. They’re prepared to feed people, give them access to restrooms, and even house them overnight if need be.

The community is also actively supporting firefighters with potluck meals and other necessities.

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“With the fire being out of control still… fire workers, volunteers are working their butts off to get this all under control, and it's going to take a while, and all we can do is pray," Sherry said.

In the meantime, residents have been gathering essential supplies and animal trailers for neighbors in need as the fire continues to burn. Sherry said companies from all over are also contributing to the relief efforts, providing truckloads of things like diapers.

Firefighting efforts are ongoing, with helicopters and planes dropping water and fire retardant to combat the blaze. Fire crews hope they’ll be able to get the fire under control by Sept. 2.