A brush fire near the Scatter Creek wildlife area in Rochester on Aug. 22 burned through 384 acres and led to evacuations for 100 residents.

“Just about every one of our apparatuses were there,” said office manager at the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Linda Shea. In total, the fire authority had 19 vehicles on site.

About 200 fire personnel responded and assisted. The state Department of Natural Resources, other Thurston County fire agencies, Grays Harbor County, Pierce County, and Lewis County fire agencies, Washington State Patrol, Thurston County public works, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Corrections wildfire division all assisted.

According to West Thurston Fire Authority’s Facebook page, the fire was first reported around 183rd Ave. Southwest in Rochester before jumping I-5.

Fire personnel extinguished the blaze around residential structures by Aug. 23 though there were still hot spots that needed addressed. The level 3 evacuation order was lifted Aug. 23 allowing residents to return.

On Aug. 23, smoke was still likely to be seen coming from the extinguished fire, but the public was told not to contact 9-1-1 unless flames were visible.

“It is not uncommon to see smoke coming from hot spots during the current phase of firefighting efforts,” the West Thurston Fire Authority said in a Facebook post.

The damage to property suffered from the fire was considerable. A historic cabin and barn were lost to the fire, as was an out building, a commercial building, four front loaders, an excavator, three semi-trailers, two commercial vehicles, two personal vehicles and multiple utility poles.