Officials: Capitol Forest fire was arson
OLYMPIA, Wash. - A wildfire that burned 12 acres and sent campers fleeing from the Capitol Forest on Friday has been determined to be arson, officials said.
A spokesman for the state Department of Natural Resources said the fire "is considered maliciously or intentionally set."
The so-called "Coyote Fire" began burning some time after 3 p.m. and spread quickly. It was fully contained by Saturday morning.
Officials said the campsite at Fall Creek, about six miles from the forest entrance, was evacuated during the blaze. Campers fled for their lives as the flames approached, but no one was injured.
Three separate aircraft took turns ferrying water to drop over the burn zone as ground crews fought to douse the flames leaping from the 90,000-acre forest west of Olympia.
By Saturday morning, crews had surrounded the 12-acre burn area with fire breaks and continued mopping up and dousing hot spots.
No buildings were burned, and no injuries were reported.
Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources say the fire started in a replanted area where timber had been harvested several years ago.
Officials said the fire could have been much worse, as hot weather weather combined with dry conditions over the Fourth of July weekend.
A spokesman for the state Department of Natural Resources said the fire "is considered maliciously or intentionally set."
The so-called "Coyote Fire" began burning some time after 3 p.m. and spread quickly. It was fully contained by Saturday morning.
Officials said the campsite at Fall Creek, about six miles from the forest entrance, was evacuated during the blaze. Campers fled for their lives as the flames approached, but no one was injured.
Three separate aircraft took turns ferrying water to drop over the burn zone as ground crews fought to douse the flames leaping from the 90,000-acre forest west of Olympia.
By Saturday morning, crews had surrounded the 12-acre burn area with fire breaks and continued mopping up and dousing hot spots.
No buildings were burned, and no injuries were reported.
Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources say the fire started in a replanted area where timber had been harvested several years ago.
Officials said the fire could have been much worse, as hot weather weather combined with dry conditions over the Fourth of July weekend.