|
July 18, 2009
0 Comments
Fire Season Hits Lake Desire Neighborhood
This photo, taken by Tom Stafford, shows smoke rising from the source of the fire on the west
side of Echo Mountain. Additional photo below.
Fire fighters from both Fire District 40 and Maple Valley Fire Department were called to its first local wild fire Friday afternoon in the Lake Desire neighborhood.
The call was received around 3:30 pm, and fire fighters remained into the evening to ensure all hot spots were extinguished.
Lake Desire resident Karen Walker said the firefighters used her driveway and neighbor Doug Kosten's to access the the forested area behind their homes. "Doug's paved driveway enabled them to bring smaller trucks up top with their own smallish built-in water supply, as well as ferry groups of firefighters back and forth from the fire to the aid station on E. Lake Desire Drive via ATV (all-terrain vehicle)," said Walker.
According to Kosten, fire fighters believe the fire appeared to have started on the top of the mountain, and it is unknown how far the fire spread on the east side of the mountain. Utilizing fire hydrants newly installed last year, the fire was contained within approximately 50 feet from Kosten's property line.
According to reports, Lake Desire neighbors Patti and John Wall called 911 when they first spotted the fire.
This fire will hopefully encourage all Fairwood neighborhoods to stay on the alert as the dry season continues.
Additional neighborhood-specific information including creating an alert system, emergency procedures, and other neighborhood news is available on the Lake Desire Home Page located in Fairwood Community News.
Thanks to Lake Desire Secretary Heather Smith for providing the story information.
Hiking Gem
Many may not know that nice hiking trails are located around Lake Desire, Spring Lake and Echo Mountain. For more information on these trails, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE
Lake Desire residents recently visited the site of the fire on Echo Mountain, and they were pleasantly surprised that the fire was contained to an area of approximately one acre.
"We did not see any trees damaged only scrub brush and undergrowth. As dry as the forest was it is miraculous that the forest didn't just explode into flames," said Lake Desire resident John Wall.