It was the beginning of a fire chaser’s dream and a firefighter’s potential nightmare coming to life as a fire began to rage up into what was known to be dry trees in a forest ready to light off like a roman candle.
Firefighters from Eastside Fire and Rescue, DNR and nearby Larch Corrections Center from Yacolt, Washington responded to the area near 444th in North Bend in the afternoon on Friday, July 26th. About forty-five firefighters were on scene and with the aid of two helicopters dropping water on the fire. They were able to bring it to a 50% containment. Over the course of the incident, there were a total of 50 fire crews on scene.
Mt. Si is one of the busiest traveled hiking trails in the State and boasts beautiful viewpoints beginning at an elevation of 1600 feet. Land Management estimates between 30,000-50,000 hikers visit the Mt. Si trail system each year.
Due to steep and rocky terrain, firefighters had a difficult time fighting the fire. The incident closed popular trailheads: Mt. Si (main), Garden Loop Trail and Little Si Trail.
The above photos were taken on Friday evening and again, on Saturday morning around 0900 Hours from across a field, just at the bottom of Mt. Si and near the City’s newest Fire Station.
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