PORT ANGELES – Thousands of people reveled in the Fourth of July activities across the north Olympic Peninsula Tuesday, but one festival had festivities end abruptly. Forks called off its fireworks display after a fast-moving brush fire ignited.
The blaze started in the afternoon at the end of Bogachiel Way and within minutes had quickly grown to more than a dozen acres. That prompted Forks’ mayor to call for an immediate ban on all outdoor burning and to cancel the city’s fireworks display. The demolition derby was also called off. Shortly after that, Clallam County commissioners banned all fireworks activity in the west end of the county and declared a state of emergency to fight the blaze.
As of Wednesday morning, the fire had burned about 39 acres, and Janet Pearce from the Dept. of Natural Resources said crews had it lined, if not contained. Two homes were destroyed.
Ron Cameron from the Sheriff’s Office said residents that were evacuated are being allowed to return to their homes at the end of Bogachiel Way, but other than local traffic, no one is allowed down that direction as fire apparatus is still in the area. The PUD shut off power to the area as a precaution, but were working to get power restored Wednesday morning.
In Port Angeles, people took part in games, activities and tours of the Navy Destroyer USS Momsen. The wait was up to three hours at one point for groups to gat a closeup look at the ship. The Port of Port Angeles worked with the Navy in bringing the ship to town. Port Economic Development Director Caleb McMahon said Tuesday on the dock that the Navy was very happy with the support from Port Angeles.
“The turnout’s excellent. We’ve had people showing up from 9:00. I actually showed up this morning at 9:00 at the fairgrounds, there was already about 20 people waiting. Currently, the line is spanning almost a mile. They’re doing very well, working. They were starting out with two groups, and they’ve gone to three and four groups because they were so overwhelmed by the turnout. The Navy is very surprised and delighted, and they said our turnout is actually beats Portland so far.”
The ship brought hundreds of sailors to town who also took part in many activities, including the annual parade.
In Sequim, hundreds flocked to the James Center for the Performing Arts at Carrie Blake Park. They listened to hours of music provided by the Sequim City Band, Buck Ellard Band and Black Diamond Junction. Both PA and Sequim capped festivities with commercial, community fireworks shows.
(Photo by Kevin Murphy)