Saturday fire outline

Around 230 firefighters persisted in battling a stubborn wildfire in the Willapa Hills Saturday, Sept. 7, as it grew to nearly half a square mile in steep and rugged terrain.

The fire, which was first reported on Wednesday, is 0% contained and still experiencing weather favoring rapid fire growth.

Three helos were still working the fire at midday Saturday, but two Dash8 flame-retardant air tankers remain on standby in Olympia. Winds are causing visibility issues with thick smoke in the vicinity of the main fire and another nearby smaller blaze.

A hotshot crew arrived Saturday. Fifteen engines/tenders are on scene.

The fire is burning in a three-year-old clearcut and one-year-old reprod, 20 miles southwest of Pe Ell and 11 miles north of Cathlamet.

The Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team is in charge of the fire.

“The Huckleberry Ridge Fire is burning eight miles from the nearest structure and 11 miles from the nearest community,” the management team said in its Saturday update. “No infrastructure is at risk at this time. The fire acreage was moved to 343 acres due to the most current aerial mapping of the fire area done this morning. Crews continued monitoring the fire overnight. There was continued fire growth throughout area burning through steep terrain, especially along the southwest side of the fire near the East Fork Chehalis River. Crews will continue to look for a solid place for roads, handline and dozer line to help box in the fire.”

Hunting season has started and many people are out in the woods. “For anyone hunting, please stay out of the fire area and be aware there is substantial firefighting activity in the area with a lot of vehicle traffic,” fire managers said.