BRINNON — Several areas near Brinnon were being asked to evacuate due to a wildland fire, and a no-fly zone was in effect for drones.
The Jefferson County Emergency Operations Center issued Level 3 “go now” evacuation orders Tuesday afternoon for residents of Belgian Drive, Morocco Place, Rock Brook Road, Arabian Drive, Shetland Lane and the north side of Dosewallips Road from Rockybrook Road to about 1 mile north.
The orders were issued about 2:43 p.m. and updated to expect responding aircraft about 3:30 p.m.
“They are throwing a lot of mutual aid from a number different agencies,” said Robert Wittenberg, a community risk manager from East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR). “I believe they are asking for additional resources from state agencies. Right now they are doing the best they can to get a handle on it.”
Wittenberg said EJFR helped the Brinnon Fire Department by sending a brush truck, tenders and a fire engine.
Additional resources are being called to the area, including a helicopter and units from Shelton in Mason County as well as resources from Kitsap County.
Wittenberg said about 3 p.m. Tuesday that the fire had started within the past hour.
“From my hearing on the radio, it may have started in one structure, may have been abandoned, then it spread to the neighboring areas,” Wittenberg said.
The size of the fire was unclear Tuesday afternoon, and it was not immediately known how many structures were in danger.
Wittenberg encouraged people to heed the level 3 evacuation issued for the area.
“It’s in that area sort of west of the main road in Brinnon, but it’s always a good idea to try to avoid that, if possible, just because of other equipment coming into the area,” he said.
Mason County PUD No. 1 said in a Facebook update that it has turned off power at Dosewallips Road until firefighters have finished fighting the fire.
“The crew has to disconnect power to Belgian Drive and Morocco Place in Brinnon due to a structure fire on Morocco that is getting bigger,” an earlier post said. “Brinnon Fire Department has asked us to cut power to both streets to aid in fire response.”
Meanwhile, the Brinnon Community Center said it is open.
“Brinnon Community Center is Open, and we have power and (air conditioning),” the center posted on Facebook. “We will stay open also (as) long as needed.”
