CHIMACUM — A brush fire on state Highway 19 near Chimacum was fully contained Tuesday evening, but crews continued to work in the area Wednesday to extinguish any remaining embers.
“It’s tedious work,” said Chief Bret Black of East Jefferson Fire Rescue. “Now the job is just inch by inch, making sure an ember does not get blown off and we have to start all over again.”
The fire was reported along Highway 19 near Pleat Plank Road at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and burned roughly 10-12 acres before being contained, Black said.
Ten homes were evacuated. Residents were allowed to return overnight after the fire was contained. No injuries or major property damage were reported.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation Wednesday by the state Department of Natural Resources, which has assumed command of the operation.
Highway 19 was closed Tuesday afternoon but reopened at about midnight, according to Eric Flanigan, DNR Olympic Region Fire District manager.
Assisting were Quilcene Fire Rescue, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Poulsbo Fire Department, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Bremerton Firefighters, Discovery Bay Fire, Naval Magazine Indian Island, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
“A big level of gratitude to our local partners,” Black said, “and the Navy, engine 91 was a big help as well.”
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@ peninsuladailynews.com.
