Western Washington is under Red Flag Warning until Friday morning, meaning fire danger in the region is critical with the potential for explosive fire development. In addition, smoke from wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington is drifting west, creating air quality concerns on this side of the state.
Firefighters in South King County saw first-hand Thursday morning how quickly fire can spread in dry brush. A car hit a utility pole in the 30800 block of Thomas Rd SE in Kent, sparking a fire along the side of the road that burned hot and fast. Firefighters managed to put it out, but they say it ran up the hill fast, scorching tree stumps and dry grass. Firefighters were able to keep it from reaching a home under construction about 100 yards away.
A brush fire off Carney Lake Road in Kitsap County burned five acres Wednesday night before firefighters knocked it down.
"The conditions are at a higher level. We have not had rain for about 50 days," said Key Peninsula Fire Assistant Chief Guy Allen.
"I’ve been here 25 years now and it’s about the driest I can remember,” said Capt. James Martin of Snohomish County Fire District 44. "If it doesn't turn around soon it could be quite dangerous.”
The Red Flag Warning for Western Washington remains in effect until 5 a.m. Friday.
There are about 100 fires burning across the state, covering a total of about 178 square miles. That’s about 30 square miles larger than Seattle.
KING 5's Natalie Swaby and Jake Whittenberg contributed to this report.
