Lightning Triggers Small Forest Fires
Fire season is off to a soggy start in the Colville National Forest.
Firefighters mopped up three small lightning-caused fires Monday, and Forest Service dispatcher Jean Claybo said she was “amazed” the fires were burning at all. The forest was so wet that fire crews had trouble starting back fires, she said.
Two of the fires were about two miles east of Addy and the third was about seven miles southwest of Ione.
Firefighters don’t expect the dampness to last, and urged people to start watching for fires. To report a fire in the Colville forest, call (509) 684-7218.