Cool, wet weekend helps firefighters make gains on two wildfires burning in Western Washington

GOLD BAR, Wash. -- Rainfall and calmer winds helped fire crews gain the upper hand on two wildfires burning in Snohomish County over the weekend.

The Proctor Creek Fire, burning near Gold Bar, charred 352 acres after high winds fanned the flames on Friday night.

Some level 3 evacuations were in place for a short time, but all evacuation levels had eased as of Sunday evening.



Containment is at 90 percent, with crews saying the fire's growth completely halted overnight thanks to the rain.

Firefighters have shifted to mopping up hotspots, though they expect it will take another week or two to completely extinguish the flames.

Meanwhile, a fire burning between Arlington and Oso is now 50 percent contained and its estimated size has shrunken significantly.

Since Thursday, the Hotshot Fire has burned 67 acres through heavy timber off State Route 530, according to Washington's Department of Natural Resources.

Earlier estimates had placed the fire's size closer to 130 acres.

DNR says no structures are threatened and cool, damp weather helped slow the fire's pace.