Firefighters save multiple structures from ‘threatening brush fire’ near Littlerock Monday
Firefighters extinguished a brush fire that threatened multiple structures in south Thurston County Monday afternoon.
The fire burned about 2 acres near the 5700 block of 133rd Avenue Southwest, which is southeast of Littlerock and west of Maytown, according to a news release from West Thurston Fire Authority Battalion Chief Eric Smith.
Fire crews responded to the blaze at about 3 p.m. after witnesses reported a non-threatening brush fire in the area.
While enroute to the scene, the fire became a “threatening brush fire,” and began moving south toward some structures, the release says. Once crews arrived, they worked to evacuate people and protect the structures.
“Firefighters from West Thurston Fire and multiple aid agencies worked diligently to contain the fire,” the release states.
One shed was lost but fire crews successfully protect two additional structures that the flames reached.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
West Thurston fire crews were assisted by the Tumwater Fire Department, South Thurston Fire and EMS, Olympia Fire Department, East Olympia Fire District 6, McLane Black Lake Fire Department, Griffin Fire Department, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and DNR Air Support.
A photo from the scene showed a helicopter dropping water on the blaze. Another aerial photo shows a large swath of burned brush that encroached on multiple homes.
“This is a reminder, fire season is here!” the release states. “Now is a great time to prepare your properties and have a go bag ready.”
Thurston County enacted a temporary outdoor burn ban Wednesday due to fire safety concerns. Meanwhile, DNR rated the wildfire danger for the Thurston County area as “high” on July 3.
