Submitted by San Juan Island Fire and Rescue.

On Thursday, July 29, 2021, 911 received a call at approximately 2:15 p.m., regarding a potential wildfire in the vicinity of West Side and Pleasant Valley Roads on San Juan Island. Upon arrival, San Juan Island Fire and Rescue firefighters observed a small wildfire that had extended north and east across a grassy field and into nearby trees.

Fast response by SJIF&R firefighters allowed them to quickly knock down the tree fires and contain the wildland fire in an area of approximately 3.3. acres. Working with SJIF&R firefighters, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources deployed two firefighting helicopters, providing water deliveries onto hotspots. The effort by the firefighting crews prevented growth and extinguished the fire. Two small outbuildings were damaged and there were no injuries. The fire scene will be monitored through the night by SJIF&R firefighters and DNR crews will arrive on the scene tomorrow to finish securing the area.

We are grateful for the close working relationship SJIF&R has with DNR. DNR’s deployment of firefighting assets to our region at Lake Biggs for rapid wildfire response is a huge help for all of us in the San Juan Islands.

As a reminder, this fire appears to have started as a result of routine yard work. Please be extra careful of all you do during this drier than normal summer. We are all in this together and we all need to be vigilant, and alert to prevent fires.