Alder Lake Fire Grows, Rain Makes Officials Hopeful

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The Alder Lake Fire has grown to about 225 acres — up from about the 173 acres it had burned as of Tuesday night — but so has the government’s response in combating it, according to an update from the Lewis County Department of Emergency Management.

The U.S. Forest Service and the Washington Department of Natural Resources have about 105 crew members out fighting the fire, up from the 90 personnel that were out a few days ago. The fire breached the level one evacuation lines, which was meant to heighten local awareness, but officials do not expect it to breach the level two fire line for at least the next 24 hours.

The weekend forecast calls for heavy rains and shifting winds, which could help slow its advancement; however, the situation will be evaluated as it unfolds. Because the wilderness is so dry, officials believe it would take several weeks of rain to sufficiently reduce the fire risk.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office gave a level one evacuation notice for people living on Pleasant Valley Road near Mineral. Deputies have also gone door-to-door warning the most vulnerable to the fire. The notice calls for citizens to prepare to leave should the fire get closer. It also urges people with health conditions or animals to be extra cautious. Evacuations at this stage are voluntary.

The DEM is urging people to sign up for the county’s warning system CodeRED, which can be done at www.lewiscountywa.gov. More information on the fire can be found on Emergency Management information line, (360) 740-1152, the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, and through the DEM e-mail distribution system.