Federal and state forestry officials are wrestling with a fire in a heavily forested area on the south side of Alder Lake. The blaze, first reported on Aug. 11, has been burning since it was ignited by lightning. The U.S. Forest Service reported this week that Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are managing the fire, which is on the Lewis County side of the lake, but officials had no estimate on when it might be extinguished except that the fire is expected to increase. As of this week, it had burned about 20 acres. Heavy smoke is continuing to be seen from Elbe and other areas near the lake on the Pierce County side. There have been no reports of injuries or buildings burning. According to Forest Service officials, battling the fire has been difficult because of inaccessible terrain that is steep and rugged. They said the fire could spread north to DNR-controlled land. Forest Service roads in the area have either been closed or likely will close to the public as necessary to protect the public, officials said. They said people using the land for recreation should stay clear of fire personnel and equipment that's using Forest Roads 74 and 7409 in the firefighting effort. Officials said 79 people, two bulldozers and other equipment have been assigned to the fire.
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