House Fire and Brush Fire Near Train Tracks Keeping Everett Fire Department Busy

Two fires in Everett the past day are keeping firefighters busy. One was a brush fire near the train tracks and the other a house fire.

Firefighters have extinguished a cooking fire in the kitchen of a home in the 1200 block of Colby Avenue and are completing overhaul operations. There were no injuries.

Everett Fire wants to remind people that cooking remains the leading cause of home fires. Stay in the kitchen while cooking, keep anything that can burn away from the stovetop, and never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If a small pan fire occurs, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the heat. If the fire becomes too large to safely control, evacuate the home immediately and call 911 from a safe location.

Everett Fire crews also stopped a brush fire Wednesday night before it could spread up a steep hillside toward nearby homes along Mukilteo Boulevard.

1600 block of W. Mukilteo Boulevard

At approximately 10:15 p.m. on June 18, an Everett Police officer on patrol noticed smoke coming from a wooded area west of Harborview Park near the 1600 block of W. Mukilteo Boulevard and requested a fire response. At the same time, several nearby residents called 911 to report smoke in the area.

Engine 4 arrived first and located an approximately 80-foot by 20-foot vegetation fire burning in a heavily wooded area on Burlington Northern property. The fire was moving uphill through brush and trees and was difficult to access because of steep terrain and limited access points.

Recognizing the potential for rapid fire growth and the challenges associated with accessing the scene, firefighters quickly upgraded the response and requested additional resources.

Because the most effective access route was along the Burlington Northern rail corridor, Everett Fire coordinated with Burlington Northern to temporarily stop train traffic while crews worked safely near the tracks. The railroad itself was not threatened by the fire.

Firefighters established an aggressive attack and laid approximately 1,500 feet of hose into the wooded area to reach the fire. Everett Fire also requested water tenders and additional personnel from neighboring agencies to ensure adequate staffing and water supply if conditions worsened.

Understanding that vegetation fires can spread rapidly uphill, incident command assigned Engine 5 and Engine 6 to evaluate nearby homes along Mukilteo Boulevard and identify any potential threats should fire behavior change. Firefighters found that no homes were immediately at risk. However, Engine 5 remained in the neighborhood to continue monitoring conditions and provide rapid protection if needed.

Firefighters used several thousand gallons of water to extinguish the fire and prevent further spread. Crews contained the fire in approximately 80 to 90 minutes.

During firefighting operations, crews located an unoccupied encampment near the area where the fire originated. No individuals were found, and no injuries were reported. A preliminary investigation indicates the fire likely started within the encampment area; however, the cause remains under investigation. Everett Police were notified of the encampment and will provide additional patrols in the area.

Everett Fire thanks our public safety partners for their response and assistance during this incident. Their support helped ensure firefighters had the resources needed to safely contain the fire and protect the surrounding community.
Vegetation Fires Can Happen in Western Washington

While large wildfires are often associated with Eastern Washington, vegetation fires can and do occur west of the Cascade Mountains, particularly during periods of warm temperatures, dry vegetation, and low humidity.
With forecasts indicating a warmer-than-normal, drier-than-normal summer, Everett Fire encourages residents to take steps now to reduce wildfire risk around their homes and neighborhoods.

Create Defensible Space Around Your Home

Residents can help protect their homes by creating and maintaining defensible space:
• Remove dead vegetation, leaves, pine needles, and other combustible debris from around the home.
• Keep grass mowed and vegetation trimmed.
• Prune tree branches away from roofs and structures.
• Maintain a clear area around decks, fences, sheds, and other combustible features.
• Keep gutters and roofs free of leaves and debris.
• Store firewood and other combustible materials away from structures.
• Ensure driveways and access points remain clear for emergency vehicles.