Community Environment Police & Fire

Fire near Brinnon now estimated at 445 acres

More than 100 firefighters are battling a wildfire in Jefferson County, five miles west of Brinnon.

The 2620 Road Fire had burned 445 acres near Mt. Jupiter since igniting Wednesday evening, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Jan Glarum, director of Kitsap County Emergency Management, said the office is monitoring the situation. Kitsap has a mutual aid agreement with Jefferson County, but has not been asked for assistance.

“We are saddened to hear reports of lives impacted and property loss from this fire. We are also mindful that this is evidence of our increased risk for wildfires here in Western Washington, including Kitsap County,” Glarum wrote in an email. “As wildfire is often triggered by human behavior, we all need to make sure we take needed precautions while enjoying the outdoors.”

The Brinnon Fire Department initially responded to the fire before a Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command on Thursday. The department said in a social media post that conditions had exceeded local resources, necessitating help from the state.

“The fire is moving but it’s moving pretty slowly,” said Norma Brock, a spokesperson for the Western Washington Incident Management Team.

Brock said Friday was the team’s first full day of operations. The fire is burning in a recently logged area with heavy fuels, making it difficult to extinguish. Steep terrain and limited road access add to the challenges.

Helicopters have been dropping water on the fire, but suspended flights Friday due to visibility concerns, Brock said. Ground crews continue working. The fire is 0% contained, as of Friday afternoon.

The fire threatened about 50 homes as of Thursday, according to the Washington Emergency Management Division. Residents above Duckabush Road are under a Level 2 Evacuation Status, meaning a full evacuation notice could come on short notice. A Level 1 Evacuation Status was in effect for others near the fire.

It is unlikely the fire will impact air quality in Gig Harbor this weekend, according to an update from the WA Smoke Blog. Hazy conditions will mostly be localized to residents near Brinnon. Rain and thunderstorms forecast this weekend should clear out smoke and mitigate impacts from fire, the blog said.

The National Interagency Fire Center listed eight active, large wildfires in Washington, as of Friday. That did not include the 2620 Road Fire.