A wildland fire July 2 in the Johnson Creek Road area served as a reminder for people to be careful when they are outdoors this season.

"We are facing extremely dry conditions in which a fire can easily start and very rapidly spread," said Capt. Derrell Sharp from Clallam County Fire District 3.

Fire District 3 and state Department of Natural Resources firefighters were dispatched. They found a fire covering about 75 square feet and burning deep into logging slash surrounded by heavy brush and timber.

Sharp said the fire was difficult to fight because of its size. the steep terrain and extensive fuel supply.

Also responding to the fire were more than a dozen District 3 personnel and three fire engines, two wildland fire engines and two water trucks.

The National Weather Service issued a "red flag warning" effective through the Fourth of July weekend. The warning meant conditions were ideal for the start and spread of wildfires.

It was prompted by very warm and dry weather conditions combined with unseasonably dry fuels and mid- and high-level "Haines index" values of 5.

A 6 means a high potential for large fire growth. A 5 means medium potential, 4 is low potential, and anything less than 4 means very low potential.