LINCOLN COUNTY, Wash. – The Western Pines fire is still dangerously active, turning rural Lincoln County into a hazardous wildfire zone. New fires are igniting, and about 15 fire crews have arrived from Pullman and Snohomish to combat the flames.
Many residents are feeling the impact. One neighbor has lost his cabin built by his grandfather, while others have bid farewell to cabins they have cherished for 15 years.
The wind is shifting, threatening more homes and firefighters are actively working to contain the fire despite limited access to the area. For one local resident who grew up near Davenport, the fire has personal significance.
He shared, “It was a place where I spent most of my summers as a child,” referring to his family’s land, which his grandfather built in the 1970s.
He expressed, “I won’t lie, I shed a bunch of tears over it the other night because there’s a lot of memories, a lot of growing up around that area.”
Despite the loss, he emphasized the resilience of the community, saying, “My heart goes out to all these people that are going to be extremely affected by this. We have a strong community. They’re going to all put in on this and help each other out. We always do. That’s what we’re about.”
Firefighters continue to battle the flames, but the wind and heat complicate their efforts. Level three evacuations are still in effect, and surrounding neighbors are assessing the situation, ready to evacuate if necessary.
