A large crew of firefighters continued battling a challenging blaze in a remote area of the Willapa Hills near the Lewis-Pacific-Wahkiakum county lines.

Fire crews were making major progress on the Huckleberry Fire that is burning in deep forest land in southwest Lewis County near the borders of Pacific and Wahkiakum counties. However, it went from about 40% contained on Sunday to 8% Monday night as the wind picked up.

The pesky fire originated on Wednesday, Sept. 4, and was estimated at 3 acres around 6:36 p.m. It quickly grew in size to over 100 acres by 8:26 p.m. on Sept. 5. It continued to grow over the weekend to an estimated 343 acres, which was later decreased to 293 acres.

The fire was fueled by fire weather, with low relative humidity, high temperatures and strong winds that favored rapid fire growth. Conditions have since improved and no longer favor rapid-fire growth.

Crews worked around the clock on the fire during day and night shifts. They were aided by rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Fixed-wing aircraft, including Canadair CL-415 Super-Scoopers and Dash 8-400AT Airtankers, worked the first few days of the fire.

Multiple rotary aircraft, including UH-60 Blackhawks and UH-1V Hueys, have continued to work the fire throughout daylight.

The fire is being worked by 322 personnel, 28 engines/tankers, 11 hand crews, and the rotary aircraft. Heavy equipment is also on scene, including dozers that are making major progress on creating fire lines.

“Crews worked overnight with some slight growth on the east side of the East Fork Chehalis River,” Incident Commander Kent Stanford said in a media release on Monday, Sept. 9. “Heavy logging slash, thick timber, and very steep terrain continue to challenge operations.”

“However, crews have a great rhythm continuing to add more handlines and dozer lines around the fire perimeter and are transforming to mop-up operations once solid control points are established. Another hand crew arrived this morning to assist with the good work the team is already doing,” Stanford added.

Crews are also working on the fire’s interior.

“Crews will begin laying fire hose along the fire edge to help with cooling the interior edge of the fire as well as any hotspots or stumps still burning,” Stanford said. “Crews were also working along the 3000-line removing falling debris to help keep the road open for fire traffic use.”

Hunting season is open in the region, and fire crews are asking anyone heading to the area to be mindful of fire crews and avoid the area if possible.