On Monday July 13th at 12:57pm, Lopez Island Fire and EMS responded to a wildland fire in the area of Shark Reef and Meadow Lane. While enroute to the scene assistance was requested from the San Juan Fire District 3 fire boat due to the nature of the report. Personnel arrived on scene at an address in the 200 block of Eagles Roost found smoke and flames from a cliff approximately 100’ wide by 60’ high.

The fire was driven by winds from the North and being pushed to neighboring property to the South. After a size up by command staff Lopez Island Fire and EMS crews began structure protection by creating a defensible barrier between the fire and
the home and then flanking the fire as it worked its way into the trees and brush.

“DNR was contacted to deploy aircraft to fight the fire and provide personnel, a response from the interagency wildland group on Orcas was also requested. The fire boat, unable to suppress the fire from below, docked and sent their personnel to the scene. The fire was contained, using a combination of air and ground attack, by 4pm.

Lopez Island Fire and EMS was assisted by San Juan County Fire District 3, Washington State DNR, Orcas Island Fire District 2, San Juan County Sheriffs, and the Washington State Ferries, who delivered personnel from Orcas Island and the mainland.

As is the case with most wildland fires in the San Juan Islands, this was a human caused event. Although the exact cause is under investigation by Washington State DNR investigators, we can say that this blaze was preventable. DNR will remain on scene to extinguish hot spots over the next couple of days.

No structures were involved in this fire; one firefighter was treated on scene for a heat-related illness.

DNR will conduct the investigation of the fire.

Lopez Fire and Rescue Department  posted photos on its website Tuesday