In today’s issue:
2015 edition
B-1
SULA PIC PENINGazette
H OLYM ced by
ment produ
News ula Daily
Experts talking options to handle rising sea levels
Annual event soars back to Sequim
WHO’S WHO NORT ON THE
On the rise
Affaire up there
and Sequim
Penins
ising supple
An advert
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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015
SEQUIM GAZETTE www
Sequim’s Hometown Newspaper
com
75 CENTS
Vol. 42, Number 34
Sequim firefighters head east to battle wildfires Okanogan Complex fires are largest in Washington’s history by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette
As reinforcements from around the globe come to help fight Washington’s many wildfires, some of Sequim’s own are on the job, too. Clallam County Fire District 3 Fire Chief Ben Andrews said 10 firefighters with the department are deployed to various fires around the state.
Two crews from three departments left for the Okanogan Complex fires near Omak on Aug. 20 to provide structural protection. Participating firefighters include, from left, Lt. Kelly Ziegler, Firefighter Becca Yucha, Firefighter Danielle Hebert, Firefighter/Paramedic John Hall, Lt. Mike McAney, Firefighter Pete Sekac and Firefighter Katie Babcock. Photo courtesy of Clallam County Fire District 3
The latest group of firefighters left in the afternoon on Aug. 20 from Carlsborg and arrived in the early morning on Aug. 21 in Omak near the Okanogan Complex fires. These five fires, northwest of Omak, have spread to nearly 257,000 acres as of Tuesday morning and are 10 percent contained, fire officials report. It’s reported to be the biggest fire in Washington’s history. All volunteers, Lt. Mike McAneny serves as engine boss for Sequim’s Engine 38 with fellow firefighters Becca Yucha, Danielle Hebert and Dave Walker of Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue.
See WILDFIRES, A-2
Another colorful Fair A mated pair of purple martins sits outside one of the 16 nest boxes Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society members have installed on the old piers left behind from the Dungeness Dock near 3 Crabs. Photo by Dow Lambert
Finding ways to bring back the purple martin Birders note a record season with 65 fledged birds by ALANA LINDEROTH Sequim Gazette
The most northern population of purple martins has come to rely on human help and remnants of the Dungeness dock near 3 Crabs. The creosote soaked pilings, teetering about 15- to 18-feet into the sky and supporting 16 nesting boxes for purple martins are owned by the Port of Port Angeles and a target for future removal — leaving the largest of
See MARTINS, A-14
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
The fair still delights. With the theme of “Fun for the Whole Herd,” the 2015 Clallam County Fair put on another big show for locals and visitors alike Aug. 14-17. See highlights on A-3 and a slideshow featuring various events online at www.sequimgazette.com. Above, India Anderson, 10, of Port Angeles, snaps some pictures for her portfolio in the floral barn at the fair on Aug. 23. India said she comes every year to the fair and won a blue ribbon for one of her photographs. At right, Caleb McMillan of Soap Lake competes in the steer wrestling competition at the Clallam County Fair’s Pro-West Rodeo on Aug. 22.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Playfield parking talks resume Clallam tagged a ‘Primary City councilors seek solutions with playfield advocates by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette
More parking at the Albert Haller Playfields and James Center for the Performing Arts may be a possibility after all. City councilors agreed Aug. 24 to seek solutions to partner with Sequim Family Advocates and other stakeholders to find safer parking solutions at the playfields.
Their decision comes nearly two months after members of the City of Sequim Parks and Recreation Board denied a proposal in a special meeting to add 64 parking spots west and south of the bandshell. The additional parking was
See PARKING, A-8
Natural Disaster Area’ Opens opportunity for emergency loans by ALANA LINDEROTH Sequim Gazette
Sequim farmers may now be eligible
for emergency funding aimed at offsetting consecutive months of unusually warm, dry weather conditions. The low interest loans became available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Aug. 19 after USDA
See DISASTER, A-8
Sports B-5 • Schools B-8 • Arts & Entertainment B-1 • Opinion A-12 • Obituaries A-11 • Classifieds C-1 • Crossword Section C
weather outlook: THURSDAY, AUG. 27
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FRIDAY, AUG. 28
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SATURDAY, AUG. 29
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