Smoker causes south Sequim garage fire

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Firefighters with Clallam County Fire District 3 extinguished a smoker fire on Friday afternoon south of Sequim.

Fire crews were dispatched at 1:50 p.m. Sept. 1, to the 400 block of Sporseen Road where an initial report stated that a fire in a smokehouse spread to a two-story garage, according to Battalion Chief Chris Turner.

Firefighters from three area fire stations were out training and responded to quickly extinguish the structure, Turner said.

Mutual aid was requested for Clallam 2 Fire & Rescue to offer water tender support due to the remote location, he said, but was called off once crews determined what was needed.

Firefighters used about 1,000 gallons of water to extinguish the fire and cool nearby foliage, Turner said.

He added that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, and that Clallam PUD and Olympic Ambulance also responded to the incident.

With drier than normal conditions, fire officials shared a reminder that a complete burn ban is still in effect and east Clallam County is at an “Extremely High Fire Danger” level. While self-contained wood pellet smokers and propane barbecues are permitted, briquette and wood barbecues are not.