A suspected explosive device discovered off Waddell Creek Road Southwest near Capitol State Forest in Thurston County drew sheriff's deputies and the Washington State Patrol bomb squad into the south Olympia-area woods Wednesday afternoon, triggering evacuations and a multi-hour road closure. Officials later removed the device and said no one was hurt.
According to FOX 13 Seattle, the Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad and Thurston County Sheriff's Office were called to the 8800 block of Waddell Creek Road SW after a report of a "potential explosive device." Authorities shut down a portion of the road at about 4:45 p.m., and roughly four hours later WSP confirmed the item was an explosive and that the bomb squad had removed it.
Evacuations, Road Closed, Threat Lifted
KIRO 7 reported the device was found near Lake Lucinda along Waddell Creek Road Southwest and that nearby residents and buildings were evacuated while crews worked the scene. The station noted it was not immediately clear how the device was located, and said authorities later declared there was no longer an active threat to the community.
Forest Safety And Recent Trouble In The Woods
The Capitol State Forest is a 110,000-acre recreation and working timber area southwest of Olympia that draws hikers, mountain bikers and off-road users. The Washington State Patrol investigated a December 2024 shooting there and asked for witnesses in a WSP statement. The Washington Department of Natural Resources manages much of the land and posts frequent alerts and rules for trail and road users to reduce safety risks in the forest.
Investigators say they will provide more details as the probe continues, and FOX 13 Seattle reports WSP plans to issue a formal press release. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Washington State Patrol or the Thurston County Sheriff's Office, according to the reports.
