South Hill Brush Fire: Evacuation Lifted, Roads Remain Closed

Puyallup WA

11 August, 2021

4:23 PM

Description

PUYALLUP, WA — Deputies have lifted their evacuation order for a South Hill neighborhood as crews have gotten a handle on a brush fire burning nearby. However, road closures in the area are expected to last through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. The evacuation order was initially issued around 2 p.m. as the fire began to spread rapidly. It was lifted several hours later, once crews had gotten the fire roughly 75 percent contained around 4:30 p.m. The previous evacuation area can be seen in red below: (Image: Pierce County Sheriff's Department) A level 1 evacuation does not mean residents need to leave their homes just yet, but it does mean they need to prepare to leave at a moment's notice if the situation worsens. Deputies say that means preparing any family members with special needs and mobile property, and gathering any pets or livestock for quick evacuation if the call comes down. Nearby homes just outside the evacuation area were also warned to prepare to leave, though not as urgently. Now that the evacuation order has been lifted, that is no longer a concern. The fire was first reported just before 12:40 p.m. Wednesday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, a 911 caller reported seeing a tree fall and strike a power line along 160th St E near 74th Ave E. The falling line then sparked a wildfire, which crews are still battling to put out. 160th St. E has been closed surrounding the intersection, and other nearby roads were closed intermittently as firefighters adapted to the changing conditions. As a result, firefighters say the traffic congestion in the area is severe, and ask that residents keep away from the area. As of 9 p.m., just two sections of road remain closed: 160th between Woodland Ave E and 78th Ave E, and 74th Ave E between 156th St E and 160th St E. Both closures are expected to remain in place through the night. At the fire's peak, several agencies, including Gig Harbor Fire and Graham Fire & Rescue were called to assist in battling the blaze. Crews from various FDs are on-scene at the #SouthHill brush fire working to get it under control. Active area is mainly in the field north of 160th St E, between Woodland & 74th Ave E. If we can't reach you, we can't alert you - sign up for PC ALERT: https://t.co/99y0eWZ32d pic.twitter.com/S7tR65HdOk— Graham Fire & Rescue (@GrahamFireWa) August 11, 2021 At their last estimate at around 5 p.m., crews said the blaze was roughly 75 percent contained. Medics have also been called to treat a firefighter for possible heat exhaustion. No other injuries have been reported.