Tunnel Creek fire 

The Brinnon Fire Department issued updates on Sept. 6 that  the Tunnel Creek fire was no current danger to structures or nearby Brinnon and Quilcene communities.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the Tunnel Creek fire was estimated at approximately 100 acres, burning on a steep, rocky slope south of Tunnel Creek and southwest of Quilcene.

Tunnel Creek Trail remains closed until further notice.

Due to the rugged terrain, helicopters have been used as the primary suppression tool, applying buckets of water as weather allows.

The fire is believed to have been started by recent lightning in the area.

Depending on wind and weather, smoke may be noticeable in the Brinnon and Quilcene communities. Visitors have been asked to avoid the area to allow crews to work safely.

Port meeting Sept. 10

The Port of Port Townsend Commission’s workshop and business meetings take place on the morning and afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The 9:30 a.m. workshop agenda includes the 2026 budget, the county assessor’s recommendations for regular property tax and Industrial Development District (IDD) tax levies, and a five-year capital improvement project review spanning 2026-2030.

The 1 p.m. meeting agenda includes the sale of a vessel, lease agreements with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Key City Fish Company, funding for an all-electric 75-ton marine travelift, authorization to award a construction contract, and grant funds for airport improvements and expansions of the Boat Haven’s boat yard.

The Port Commission meets at the Point Hudson Pavilion Building, at 355 Hudson St. The public may attend in person or online.

Whidbey flight ops 

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex for the week. That includes landing practice at the Outlying Landing Field in Coupeville on the evenings of Wednesday, Sept. 10, and Thursday, Sept. 11. Operations will continue in the early afternoon of Friday, Sept. 12.

Housing proposals due

The Jefferson County Housing Fund Board is accepting proposals until 4 p.m. Oct. 15 from organizations seeking funds for affordable and supportive housing, as well as homeless housing and assistance, to be provided during the 2026 calendar year.

The Request For Proposal packet is available online at the Jefferson County website.

You may also request a copy of the RFP packet by calling 360-385-9100, or mailing the county administrator at P.O. Box 1220, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Vaccine alliance

The states of Washington, Oregon and California announced a plan to launch a health alliance to provide unified vaccine recommendations in the face of changing federal immunization policies and public health directives.

Under the West Coast Health Alliance, the states said they’ll make joint recommendations on who should receive vaccines, informed by national medical associations, even if they diverge from federal guidance.

Typically, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a federal advisory body to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, advises on who should receive vaccines, and at what intervals, after the Food and Drug Administration’s approval.

U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s federal vaccine policy changes, including withdrawing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and healthy children, have prompted medical organizations and several states to formulate their own recommendations ahead of the fall immunization campaign, to prevent loss of access to the shots.