Initial results for the special election for the creation of a regional fire authority in central Grays Harbor lean heavily towards a “no” vote for the proposal.

As of Tuesday evening, about than 3,300 ballots had been counted, with about 500 left to count, according to the county auditor’s website.

Voters were most heavily inclined in Cosmopolis, where 73 percent of voters, 318 residents, voted against the creation of the RFA. Cosmopolis was also the smallest of the three cities involved in the vote. In Aberdeen, 1,033 people voted against the proposal, for more than 55 percent of voters, while in Hoquiam, 601 voted against it, for more than 58 percent of voters.

In total, 3,328 yes or no votes were registered on Tuesday night. 1,952 of those votes, about 58 percent, were cast against, while 1,376, about 42 percent, were cast in support of the proposal.

This marks the third attempted vote on the proposed creation of an RFA, while fire departments seek a sustainable path forward amidst mounting call volumes, some of the highest in the state, and increasing challenges creating a competitive department to fill positions.

The Central Grays Harbor Professional Firefighters Local 315 also argued for the move, with union members going out into communities to support the proposed creation of the RFA.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.