Fast-Moving Wildfire Destroys Six Homes, Prompts Evacuations in Mason County, Washington

Carolyn Williams
Published: August 1,2015

The remains of a home destroyed by the Deckerville Fire in Mason County, Washington, are left smoldering on July 31, 2015. (Photo Credit: Mason County Sheriff)

A fast-moving wildfire, dubbed the Deckerville Fire, ignited in Mason County, Washington, Friday afternoon, destroying at least six homes and prompting evacuations.
Multiple residents and livestock were evacuated as the blaze consumed over 100 acres, Chief Deputy Ryan Spurling of the Mason County Sheriff's Office told the Associated Press, and at least 20 homes were threatened.

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100+ acres is the estimate right now. 8 structures/homes are burned.

10:25 PM - 31 Jul 2015

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“The dry fuel, record temperatures, high winds and lightning rolling in from the south present explosive potential for wildfires throughout the state,” Peter Goldmark, commissioner of Public Lands, told local media. “This is a critical fire-weather pattern, notorious for producing large fires with extreme fire behavior. We need everyone to take the utmost care not to spark any fires.”
(MORE: Firefighter Killed, Multiple Residents Forced from Homes as Wildfires Rage Across California)
Residents fled as the fire quickly spread, grabbing what belongings they could.
“I saw smoke coming and I got my daughter up from her nap and packed up,” resident Jacqualine Brehmeyer told KOMO News. “We could see fire from our neighbor's property that was coming up to the treeline that's below where our house is."
The Mason County Emergency Operations Center was activated in response to the fire, KIRO-TV reported, adding at least three Washington Department of Resources helicopters are battling the flames.

The fire has slowed down, but at this time, the level of containment is unknown. No injuries have been reported.
MORE: California Wildfire - July 31, 2015