NEWS ABOUT SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT NO. 3
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San Juan County Firefighters
Assist in Controlling Buffalo Lake Fire
posted 08/00
Firefighters from San Juan Island and Orcas Fire Departments responded to a request from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to provide two brush trucks and personnel to help in the containment efforts at the Buffalo Lake Fire near Coullee Dam. San Juan Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin and San Juan Lieutenant Joaquin Hubbard led firefighters Max Jones and Mike Conners from Orcas as they battled the blaze for six days.
Fire conditions in Okanogan County where the fire occurred were extreme, with hot, dry days and windy conditions. The crews also faced hazards from rattlesnakes, falling rocks burned out snags and bears, including a sow and cubs who lived right on the edge of the fire where the San Juan crews were working.
Over one thousand firefighters assisted in fighting the fires, including crews from as far away as Arkansas. The fire was contained on Wednesday, August 16 at 9,300 acres.
During the past week the Governor declared a burn ban throughout Washington. Only campfires in state and federal campgrounds are now allowed. The declaration also increases the fines for illegal burning to a minimum of $500 and mandatory suppression costs. The cost for the Buffalo Lake fire has already exceeded $4.5 million.
Three wildfires have started on San Juan Island in the past week. Two were apparently caused by discarded cigarettes and one by an abandoned campfire.
