The Sitka Fire Department responded to a small brush fire on Friday (6-12-26) near Starrigavan Campground. In an interview with KCAW, Sitka Fire Chief Brian McLaughlin said a community member reported smoldering brush near a fire pit in the area around 3:00 p.m.
By the time three firefighters arrived, McLaughlin said there were visible flames among the smoke on the northeast side of the Starrigavan Creek Bridge. Responders found a fire pit nearby.
“We were able to run the hose down from the truck that we had on scene and put that out,” he said. “Fortunately, it was easily contained and put out.”
The recent sunny weather made the underbrush dry and easy to catch fire from embers, McLaughlin said.
“You just got to really make sure 100% that that fires out in full before you leave so that we don’t set fire to this awesome forest that we live in. Even though it’s a rain forest, it can still catch on fire.”
The fire was put out quickly and firefighters returned to the station just after 4:00 p.m.
