VRFA Blotter: Brush, barn, residential and vehicle fires keep firefighters busy

Here are 911 Calls for Service responded to by the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) from Aug. 14 – 19, 2023:

• Residential Fire: (Auburn) On Monday, August 14th at 3:19 p.m., firefighters responded to a reported electrical fire in a wall outlet. First arriving firefighters arrived to find the exterior wall on fire, requested more firefighters to respond, and used a chainsaw to access the fire from the outside. The fire was contained to a portion of the wall and firefighters prevented fire extension into the attic space. The cause of the fire was an overheated electrical outlet.
• Grass Fire: (Auburn) On Tuesday, August 15th at 3:25 p.m., crews responded to a grass fire that was 5 feet from a building. Crews found that an Amazon driver had knocked the flames down with a fire extinguisher. The firefighters overhauled the fire area to make sure it was completely extinguished.
• Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Tuesday, August 15th at 2:20 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of smoke from a wooded area. On location, firefighters initially found a small trash pile fire just off the roadway and were able to extinguish it. While checking the surrounding area a second brush fire was located about 100 yards to the east of the initial location. On investigation, crews found a 30’X60’ slow-moving brush fire at a homeless encampment. Crews were able to quickly contain the fire from spreading further and worked to mop up the burned area to extinguish all hotspots. After investigation the cause of the fires was undetermined.
• Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Tuesday, August 15th at 2:38 p.m., firefighters responded to a brush fire at a homeless encampment to assist Engine 332 with fire control and overhaul. Crews utilized hand tools and a wildland hose to extinguish hot spots ensuring the fire was fully extinguished.
• Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Wednesday, August 16 at 2:14 p.m., firefighters responded to a brushfire in Shaughnessy Park. Firefighters arrived to find a 100’ x 50’ grass fire that was spreading to nearby trees. Firefighters extinguished the fire with hose lines and then overhauled the area. The cause of the fire was undetermined.
• Mutual Aid Brush Fire: (Lea Hill) On Wednesday, August 16th at 2:29 p.m., firefighters responded with an engine strike team mutual aid to Parkland for support during a large brush fire event. VRFA firefighters responded to normal emergency aid calls in the Parkland area while West Pierce firefighters extinguished the brush fire which threatened nearby homes.
• Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Wednesday, August 16th at 6:13 p.m., firefighters responded to a brush fire involving an electrical power pole. Firefighters arrived to find a 40’ x 100’ fast-moving brush fire. A total of 3 engines and 1 tender were used to bring the fire under control. The cause of the fire was sparking electrical equipment on a power pole.
• Mutual Aid: (Federal Way) On Thursday, August 17th at 7:45 a.m., firefighters responded to assist South King Fire & Rescue with a brush fire in a densely forested area of Weyerhaeuser land. VRFA crews assisted with extinguishment and mop-up.
• Barn Fire/Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Friday, August 18th at 2:56 p.m., firefighters responded to Enumclaw on a second alarm for a barn fire that had spread to the brush. Firefighters assisted Enumclaw Fire with digging a line around the brush fire for containment and with mop-up of hotspots. There were no injuries, and the cause is under investigation by the King County Sheriff’s Office.
• Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Friday, August 18th at 6:56 p.m., firefighters responded to a brush fire on West Hill. Firefighters arrived and learned that a resident had been burning a tree they had taken down. After the fire had been left unattended, the resident noticed tall flames as it had spread to nearby grass. VRFA crews extinguished the fire and mopped up ensuring there were no hot spots remaining. Outdoor burning regulations were shared with the resident.
• Structure Fire: (Auburn) On Saturday, August 19th at 2:35 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of smoke showing from an apartment at the 400 block of 37th St SE in Auburn. Firefighters on location found light smoke showing from the attic. The fire was quickly extinguished. There were no injuries to firefighters, and one civilian was evaluated for smoke inhalation by King County Paramedics and released on the scene. The fire is currently under investigation.
• Passenger Vehicle Fire: (Auburn) On Sunday, August 20th, at 10:24 a.m., firefighters responded to a fully engulfed vehicle fire in a parking lot. Firefighters arrived to find no potential of exposure to other vehicles or buildings and quickly extinguished the blaze. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Auburn Police and VRFA Fire Investigators.