Single Publication

(MOCLIPS, Wash.) – The Margarita Fire started August 2nd at approximately 12:30am on the Quinault reservation, approximately 1.5 miles NE of Moclips. It is mostly burning in a timber sale unit that is a mix of cedar slash and standing trees, surrounded by heavy timber. Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire on August 4th.

The fire is currently 61 acres and 75% contained. Firefighters yesterday did incredible work, making progress on fire suppression ahead of expectations. They focused on mopping up in the southwest corner of the fire area in some standing trees. At the north end of the fire, an excavator was removing tree stumps and crews and equipment worked to scatter timber slash to the interior of the fire to reduce the risk of spotting outside of the fire perimeter. They also limbed up and then burned out trees to secure fire line up to the M-800 road. As of yesterday evening, 112 people, 10 engines, three water tenders, a dozer, and two helicopters were working to suppress the fire.

The objective today is to continue mopping up and monitoring the timber stringers at the east flank of the fire. Firefighters will also mop up fuels along the fire’s south edge. While the rain overnight and this morning is helpful, it is truly the hard work of the firefighters that is making a difference.

The only evacuation warning is a Level 2 – Get Set – for the community of Quinault Village, also known as Moclips Estates. Residents should have essentials packed and be ready to go if conditions change.

Weather today is forecast to be cloudy in the morning and mostly cloudy in the afternoon. There is a 40% chance of wetting rain, defined as an amount of rain that will typically wet fuels enough to substantially prevent new ignitions while reducing spotting and slowing rates of spread. The prediction is for south winds at 6-8 mph in the morning, shifting to northwest at 7-12 mph in the afternoon with a high temperature of 68 degrees.

You can support firefighting efforts by observing local burn bans. The weather is forecast to return to warm, dry conditions tomorrow and through the middle of next week. Grays Harbor County currently has restrictions on all outdoor burning. Charcoal and wood burning, recreational campfires, residential yard waste and land-clearing burning are prohibited until further notice.