Burien, Washington – Brush Fire on 1st Ave South

Burien, Washington (May 8, 2019) – A brush fire was reported to have happened on Wednesday at 1st Avenue South, between South 168th Street and South 170th Street. No one was reported to have been injured in the incident, but a tree in the vicinity caught on fire.

The fire most likely started at the bottom of the tree, and ignited the crown. The fire was quickly extinguished through the efforts of the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department. The cause of the fire has not been identified.

About Fire

Washington counts as the 5th state most prone to wildfire from 2017 wildfire risk analysis, and ranks 8th in a 2018 study by number of fires that happened. The US Fire Administration has recorded 15 home fire fatalities this year within Washington, showing the destruction fire is capable of doing. Even within city areas, one must be wary of fires that can happen near residential areas.

If your home is near an area with risk of brush fire, there are few safety reminders to keep in mind. Homeowners are urged to complete their spring cleaning, and to create a defensible space around the home by clearing trees and brush. Additionally, the limbs of trees should be cut to at least 15 feet off the ground. Any object that send out fires should be handled with absolute care. Common objects such as lit matches and cigarette butts can also easily cause a fire within dry brush. Should fire be used in an outdoor space, one must assess the surroundings to make sure fire would not have a possibility to spread out. Finally, before leaving an area where fire was used, one must ensure that any fires must be extinguished completely. Preventing brush fires from happening is everyone’s responsibility, and careful use of fire can ensure the safety of not only one’s self, but hundreds of others.

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