DARRINGTON — The Huckleberry Flats Fire north of Darrington has been 100% contained and Suiattle River Road has reopened, the U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday.
Fire operations had been winding down for several days. The 134-acre fire was briefly managed by the multi-agency Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team, with two 20-person hand crews, four engines and 85 total personnel. On Sunday, it was transferred back to Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest rangers.
Incident Management Teams are multi-agency teams used for extended incidents.
As of the weekend, the approximate cost of firefighting efforts was $652,000. The fire started on Forest Service land and was fueled by timber, brush and grass. The area received rain Monday night and more on Tuesday.
The cause was still under investigation. Two fire engines and seven firefighters were still on duty in a patrol capacity as of Tuesday.
Crews completed restoration work by Tuesday. This included “returning dozer line to a more natural appearance,” according to the Forest Service.
Suiattle River Road is a key access point to many popular hikes in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, including the Pacific Crest Trail. The road reopened in time for Labor Day weekend.
Visitors were warned to remain on the road and that smoke may still be seen from the interior of the fire.
After weeks of dealing with wildfire smoke from Canada and the Cascades, air quality was good Tuesday throughout Snohomish County. Highway 20 closed again due to the Blue Lake Fire from milepost 120 (Newhalem) to milepost 171 (Silver Star Campground). This was due to an “increase of activity” on the Blue Lake Fire, according to a press release posted on Inciweb.
The Sourdough Fire has burned 6,221 acres and was 30% contained. The Blue Lake Fire was 1,056 acres and 31% contained.
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jordyhansen.
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