GRANITE FALLS — A new fire less than a mile off Mountain Loop Highway east of Granite Falls burned approximately 20 acres, but appeared to be under control Monday.
The fire is on state Department of Natural Resources land.
Fire crews responded to reports of the fire around 4:30 p.m. Sunday about 6 miles northeast of Granite Falls, near Green Mountain Mine and northwest of Bowers Lake. In a Facebook post, Snohomish County Fire District 22 reported two airplanes loaded with retardant were en route late Sunday.
Fire District 22 Chief Travis Hots said his department was called in as mutual aid. Two state firefighting helicopters were also used, according to fire officials.
No structures were at risk. The original cause of the fire wasn’t clear and remained under investigation, fire officials said.
Cooler temperatures and areas of rain showers aided mop-up crews. Fire District 22 said two units were called back to the fire on Monday morning.
Last week, the U.S. Forest Service banned campfires outside of metal rings in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in an effort to prevent wildfires.
In early June, Snohomish County implemented a burn ban of all fires except for recreational and cooking fires. The National Weather Service and fire agencies have warned — for months — of the impending fire danger this summer and autumn.
The forecast for the rest of the week called for highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-50s.
“It is anticipated they will be assisting the DNR with mop up operations over the next two days,” Fire District 22 said in a Facebook post Monday. “This fire is completely lined and state and local firefighters are taking advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity today to make sure this fire doesn’t grow anymore.”
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jordyhansen.
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