BRINNON — Jefferson County has issued a Level 2 evacuation notice — be prepared to leave — for residents in the 2500 Block and above Duckabush Road.
The 150-acre 2620 Fire on the south side of Mt. Jupiter continues to burn, with containment efforts in full swing.
The fire, which started Wednesday, was first reported to the Brinnon Fire Department at about 7:30 p.m. The department, along with crews from the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Quilcene Fire Rescue, worked through Wednesday night to establish fire lines and protect nearby homes.
“Between 10 to 15 homes are on standby for evacuation,” said Norma Brock, public information officer with the Western Washington Incident Management Team.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the deployment Thursday afternoon of state firefighting resources to support local efforts to combat the blaze, as requested by Brinnon Fire Chief Tim Manly.
Under the state Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan, specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have dispatched two strike teams to assist with containment efforts.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is coordinating the dispatch of those resources remotely. The Fire Protection Bureau is overseeing the mobilization process, which includes assembling and deploying fire service personnel and equipment from across the state. The plan is designed to quickly respond when local jurisdictions face fires or disasters beyond their capacity.
The fire poses a significant threat to residences on the 2500 block of Duckabush Road. Firefighters have focused on creating containment lines along the backside of those properties, working with heavy machinery to prevent the fire from spreading further toward residential areas.
As of Thursday morning, the fire had grown to about 150 acres, leading Manly to request the closure of Duckabush Road and to restrict access to local residents only.
Both ground and air operations were ongoing Thursday. The presence of drones has been specifically discouraged, as they could interfere with firefighting efforts.
“This is going to be a long operation, and we are requesting that the community avoid the area,” Manly said.
Residents are encouraged to ensure their vehicles are fueled and ready to go, to review their evacuation plans with family members and to stay alert for updates. The situation remains fluid, and if conditions worsen, the preparedness level could be escalated.
As command of the fire officially transitions to the DNR, state resources and funds are being mobilized to help combat the blaze.
“We have two helicopters and two scoopers in the air,” Brock said. “At this time, they are calling in more resources to stop the forward progression of the fire.”
Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels and to heed all safety instructions as efforts to contain the fire proceed.
“The Red Cross is prepared to open shelters if needed,” said Wendy Housekeeper, executive assistant to the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners.
The Jefferson County Fairgrounds offered its facilities as an emergency evacuation site.
“We have facilities that would be suitable for sheltering animals,” said Brian Curry, Jefferson County Fairgrounds manager.
“Luckily we have experience getting the facilities ready to accommodate a variety of animals,” Curry said.
“We are coordinating with local veterinarians. Hopefully the fire gets under control, but we are available in case people need to evacuate,” he added.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation is ongoing.
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Reporting intern Christopher Urquia is a student at Peninsula College. He can be reached by email at christopher.urquia@peninsuladailynews.com.
