Submitted by Orcas Island Fire and Rescue.

At 9:23 a.m. on Monday, July 28, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to a wildland fire on the southeast shore of Mountain Lake in Moran State Park.

The fire was reported by campers who saw the flames from the opposite shore. The campers kayaked to the location of the fire and began to throw buckets of water on the flames. OIFR arrived on scene with six wildland firefighters and Chief Chad Kimple, finding a 10-foot diameter area that was still smoldering. The area was quickly contained, and the fire was extinguished.

A bucket brigade from the lake was established to fully douse the area and eliminate any underground fire pockets. The quick response from the reporting party and campers who came to the scene aided in a successful outcome with minimal fire damage. The likely cause of the fire was due to an illegal campfire in an illegal, off-trail campsite.

Islanders and visitors are reminded that San Juan County is under a Very High Fire Danger warning. All recreational campfires with wood or charcoal are not permitted. It should be noted that this is the third significant wildland fire in the last two weeks, in addition to multiple calls for smoke investigations. The ban on recreational campfires is likely to continue throughout the summer as the conditions are continuing to become drier and more susceptible to accidental fire. OIFR urges all islanders to pay special attention to the use of yard and landscape equipment, which can easily ignite dry grass and brush. Please reach out to OIFR for more information.

Washington State Parks and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office are aware of this incident and are investigating.