BRINNON, Wash. — An ongoing wildfire on Mount Jupiter has prompted Level 1 and Level 2 evacuation notices for residents living on Duckabush Road in Brinnon. This means residents can either voluntarily evacuate or should be prepared to potentially evacuate.
Crews from the Brinnon Fire Department and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have set up containment lines along the backside of residences in the 2500 block of Duckabush Road in Jefferson County. On Thursday, wildland fire aircraft were pulling water from Lake Cushman to assist with firefighting efforts.
About 175 firefighters are battling the blaze. Firefighters from around the nation are being mobilized to the fire to assist the local, state and regional crews fighting the flames.
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As of Friday afternoon, the fire has reached over 445 acres and is growing, according to the Brinnon Fire chief. It is 0% contained.
Crews used drones to map out the fire and identify hot spots. They have also used bulldozers to cut fire-break paths through the forest, creating separation between the occupied properties and the fire.
Approximately 10 to 15 homes are immediately threatened, and there are more than 50 homes that are expected to soon be threatened, the fire department said.
The 2500 block and above of Duckabush Road is at a Level 2 evacuation. The 1000 block up to the 2500 block of Duckabush Road is at a Level 1.
”The past couple of days have been wild with all the planes and helicopters flying around,” said homeowner Jason Maloney.
His home and business, Duckabush Mushrooms, are under a Level 1 evacuation order. He’s been to “get ready” to evacuate if the fire keeps growing towards his property.
"Bags packed, ready to go,” said Maloney, “It’s scary. Got to make sure the insurance is good.”
Gustav Sculptor, whose home is under Level 1 evacuation orders, said he's preparing, too.
"I'm packing up some essential tools, some valuables. I have a couple of vehicles that don't need to be in a fire. So, trying to move those things away," Sculptor said.
Some homes higher up on the hill are at Level 2, the Get Set evacuation level, but there are no mandatory evacuations yet.
Fire crews are asking the public to avoid Duckabush Road except for local residents.
“People got the hurricanes, they got the tornadoes, and we got fires,” said Sculptor. “We've been lucky so far, but they could turn at anytime.”
The DNR has four aircrafts helping fight the fire. The public is also asked to not fly drones near the fire scene, as this can impact firefighting operations.
Fire crews do not yet know what caused the fire.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.