BELLEVUE FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BRUSHFIRE ON FOREST DRIVE

During the afternoon hours on Friday July 23rd, 2010, Bellevue Firefighters were dispatched to a brush fire reported on Forest Drive near Cougar Mountain. The area is inundated with brush and tree covered hillsides and heavily populated with large homes. Engine 8 arrived to find a growing grass fire. The fire was rapidly attacked and brought under control, but spotting from embers was a concern for the crews on scene. In all, Engine 8, 9, 4, and Battalion 1 responded on the fire. It was reportedly caused by kids playing with a small fire that spread into the grass. Though this small brush fire was aggressively extinguished before it could endanger any homes, it demonstrates the latent, and growing fire danger in the area. The public is reminded of the need to be safe around our wildland areas with fire, and the benefit of clearing adequate defensible space around structures. If you have questions on techniques for doing this call the Bellevue Fire Department at 425-452-6892 or visit FIREWISE.