Lonnie Archibald photo

CORRECTION AND UPDATE: Darren Greeno owner of West End Surf & Skate contacted the Forks Forum and reported a wall on his home received some damage but he and his family, home and surf shop are fine.  

An early morning fire has destroyed wood-framed buildings located along North Forks Avenue including the Dazzled by Twilight/Fern Gallery and Rainforest Arts Center/IOOF Building heading north to the historic Forks log, which firefighters are fighting to save.  Watch for updates on the Forks Fire 2012 throughout the day.

Clallam County Fire District 1 Chief Phil Arbeiter  said the fire started in the 3-story Rainforest Arts Center that housed a theater group and Hispanic grocery store. He said no one was in the buildings when the fire was reported at about 4 a.m. Monday, and that no one was hurt.

Here firefighters (top photo) from the Forks and Beaver fire departments (Fire District #1) fight the fire at about 4:30 a.m. Monday morning, Oct. 29 at the junction of Forks Ave and East Division Street where the Rainforest Arts Center – historic circa 1924 International Order of Odd Fellows Hall and Dazzled by Twilight buildings were destroyed. 

Public schools in Forks are closed today due to the smoke from the fire, Qullayute Valley School District Superintendent Diana Reaume announced at 5:30 a.m.. Power along main transmission lines along Forks Ave. has been knocked out by fires, however power is reported on along back streets.

Forks Timber Museum photo

The historic circa 1925 International Order of Odd Fellows Hall (left) and the former Olympic Pharmacy building as shown circa 1940 were gutted by the fire this morning. Earlier IOOF buildings burnt down including during another major fire that devastated downtown Forks. A major fire in 1951 roared up the Calawah Valley and burnt down sections of the north end of downtown Forks, a valiant effort by local residents kept the fire away from the section that burnt down last night.