McEwan fire in Shelton now 70% contained, cause still under investigation
The McEwan Fire near Shelton has been burning for nearly a week now, taking 244 acres of industrial timberland and private property with it. But officials said Monday morning that the fire was 70% contained.
The cause of the fire, which began on the Fourth of July, is still under investigation, and the Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management team will be handing the case over to a state Department of Natural Resources team this week, according to Monday update from the management team.
Evacuation levels were reduced at 9 a.m. Monday, according to a news release from Central Mason Fire & EMS. All areas that have been under evacuation orders are now at Level 1: Evergreen Drive, Oak Park, Rainbow Lake Neighborhood, Little Bear Lane, McEwan Drive, John’s Prairie Road from Batstone Cutoff to Highway 3 and the Hiawatha Neighborhood.
Level 1 means people should be ready to evacuate if necessary.
McEwan Prairie Road opened at 9 a.m. Monday as well.
The number of people working to contain the fire was at 178 on Monday.
