Evacuations were ordered for a vegetation fire Wednesday afternoon in Happy Valley. The Shawn Fire started at around 1:30PM off Shawn Drive east of Happy Valley Road. Evacuees were sent to West Valley High School. Crews were challenged by a lot of spot fires as the fire moved north. Forward progress was stopped at 17 acres. One structure, apparently an outbuilding, was destroyed. Evacuation orders were reduced to warnings at around 4PM. The warnings were lifted shortly before 8PM. The fire may have been caused by a tree that was struck by lightning and then smoldered for days before dropping embers in dry grass.
-Steve Gibson