Marlin evacuated during fire

Wildland fire burns near Wilson Creek

WILSON CREEK - A 3,500 acre fire referred to as the Black Rock Fire was contained Sunday morning near Wilson Creek.

The fire began Friday at approximately 2:30 p.m., Black Rock Fire Incident Command Post Public Information Officer Leslie Hynes said.

"Extremely dry conditions and gusty winds allowed the fire to spread quickly over hundreds of acres covered mostly with sage brush and cheat grass," she noted. "A Washington State Fire Mobilization was authorized Friday night and more than 130 firefighters from across the state were called in to assist firefighters from Grant and Lincoln counties already on the scene."

The fire caused the emergency evacuation of the town of Marlin Friday night. Citizens were allowed to return to their homes the following morning, Hynes advised.

"The fire came within about a mile and a half of a 60-resident town," she added.

State Route 28 was closed for six hours Friday night due to fire conditions.

One structure was considered a total loss and was the only structure damaged by the fire, Hynes noted.

A 20 foot by 20 foot barn with a corral burned.

A prime focus for firefighters was to protect structures, she noted. A Department of Natural Resources helicopter assisted with bucket drops and fire assessments.

There were no injuries.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.