HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-14 - Large Brush Fire on I-5
Tukwila Fire Department
News Event for Immediate Release
Date: Monday, July 14, 2014
Time: 12:08 PM
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At approximately 11:15pm on Sunday, July 13 , a crew from the Kent Fire
Department responded to a report ed brush fire in the North b ound lanes of
Interstate 5, between Orillia Road and the Southcenter Parkway exit.
The first arriving crew quickly assessed the situation and upgraded the call to
bring additional units to the scene. The fire grew qu ickly , spread ing north and
south, and up the bank into the trees . Approximately 2 ½ to 3 acres burned
before the fire was fully extinguished. No structures were threatened.
Eventually units from Tukwila, SeaTac, Federal Way, Port of Seattle and
Boeing Fir e Department assisted in the firefight , with approximately 40
firefighters and over 13 fire apparatus in all.
No injuries to firefighters or civilians have been reported.
Cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fire investigators from Tukwila
a re on scene at this time.
Most if not all lanes of NB I - 5 should be open by morning commute.
We wish to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the extreme fire
conditions that currently exists , not just in Central and Eastern Washington,
but right here is the greater Seattle area and all of Western Washington.
Small fires quickly grow into large fires during these conditions . Citizens are
asked NOT to discard any hot or smoking material from their moving
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vehicles. Fireworks are illegal after Jul y 4 . P lease see that fireworks do
not get into the hands of children or irresponsible adults . Keep your vehicles
in good working order, and make sure trailers are not dragging chains or other
equipment that could cause sparks. If anyone notices even a small fire in the
brush or along our roadways, they are encouraged to call 911 right away.
The National Weather Service is forecasting extreme heat, (upper 80’s and
into the 90’s) this week. State wide, we are in a warmer than normal season,
so everyone i s asked to do their part to reduce fires.
If you should need any information regarding this incident you may reach me,
Battalion Chief Martin F. Grisham, PIO for Tukwila Fire Department.. You
can reach me at 206 971 - 8740 , or 206 571 - 3427.
If this news release reached you in error, please contact our
office at 206 - 575 - 4404 so that we may correct the information
in our database.