The Fire has grown to approximately 10,000 acres
Information compiled; Julie Caille photo as published on NCWLife.com
A brush fire which was first reported around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon located 1/2 mile east of Waterville, has since traveled about 10 miles from east to west and grown to approximately 10,000 acres. Buffeted by gusty winds, it has been moving steadily to an area approximately 3 miles southwest of the Town of Mansfield. Level 2 evacuations have been issued for residents in Mansfield, as well as at least 10 residences to the west.
Local Farmers are actively assisting response personnel by digging a fire line along the west end of Mansfield.
Crews were able to hold the “Road 11 fire” overnight Saturday. A team from the SE Washington All-Hazard Interagency Type 3 team took control of the fire at 8:00 am Sunday.
Road Closures and Evacuations:
- A 3-alarm brush fire, known as the Road 11 Fire, is burning west of Mansfield near the McNeil Canyon Road area, closing several roads and leading to evacuation notices.
- Level 2 evacuation notices have been issued for homes from Road B NW to Road 10 NW, and for homes south of McNeil Canyon Road.
- Level 1 evacuations have been announced for homes north of McNeil Canyon Road between Road C NW and the top of McNeil Canyon Road up to Road 20 NW.
- McNeil Canyon Road at US 2 has been closed at the request of Fire Command due to heavy traffic.
- SR 172 is closed between milepost 8, just north of Withrow, and milepost 10 (McNeil Canyon Road). The road is also closed at Road B NE.
- A shift in the wind caused the fire jump SR 172, burning east toward Road B NW outside of Mansfield.
Updates will be published as additional information is available.
