Dry conditions ripe for more brush fires, says Renton's deputy fire chief
By DEAN RADFORD
Renton Reporter Editor
October 8, 2012 · Updated 2:18 PM
Tinder-dry fuels such as grass and brush and dry weather make another brush fire like the one that burned four acres near Rolling Hills on Sunday afternoon a real possibility, says Deputy Fire Chief Erik Wallgren.
"The risk is pretty high," he said Monday.
On Sunday, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced that an emergency proclamation declaring a State of Emergency and banning all outdoor burning has been extended through midnight Monday, Oct. 15th, and now includes all counties in Washington state.
Investigators on Monday ruled the Renton fire accidental, Wallgren said. Juveniles in the area were seen building a campfire surrounded by rocks, but the fire spread beyond the barrier, he said.
The youths were spotted by witnesses, but they remain unidentified.
The fire didn't threaten the nearby Rolling Hills Apartments or the tall Bonneville powerlines overhead.
The fire department's brush truck responded, along with three engines and a ladder truck. The brush truck is designed to go into rough terrain not suitable for larger fire engines, Wallgren said.
Crews remained onsite until about midnight to keep an eye out for any flareups.
There were no injuries nor damage to property; no residences were threatened, Wallgren said.
Contact Renton Reporter Editor Dean Radford at editor@rentonreporter.com or 1-425-255-3484 (ext 5050).Comment on this story.
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