Fires burn structures in Yelm, Rainier

Two residential structures caught fire last week in the Yelm and Rainier areas.

The first occurred on the 700 block of Sunrise Lane Southeast, near Gehrke Park, around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30. Engine 24 of the Southeast Thurston Fire Authority (SETFA) responded to the scene and, according to the Thurston Co. Scanner, News, & Weather Blog, arrived to find “smoke showing from a small single wide trailer.”

Then, on the night of Thursday, July 31, the Yelm Police Department and SETFA responded to a structure fire in the area of 94th Avenue Southeast and Cullens Road Southeast just north of state Route 510. According to the Thurston Co. Scanner, the fire was reported to have spread to the trees.

The structure was considered abandoned and believed to be last occupied by a member of the Cullens family. The Nisqually Valley News has requested public records from SETFA pertaining to this fire.

The structure fires come amid increased wildfire activity in the area. According to SETFA’s wildland coordinator, Kelly Corey, as of July 30, SETFA has responded to 46 wildfires so far this year — and 34 of those occurred in July. These numbers include any natural vegetation and/or brush fires.

On top of that, wildfires from neighboring Mason County brought a smoky haze and distinct smell that affected many Thurston County residents throughout the week. To make things even smokier, the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Works Environmental Division conducted a number of prescribed burns over the last few weeks, including one two miles north of Roy on July 31.

The base also reported smoke on July 30 that was apparently the result of a late-night firing training.