UPDATE: Firefighters, neighbors stop Arroyos brush fire before it reaches homes

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(SCROLL DOWN for newest update – fire determined to have been accidental)

1:25 PM: Big Seattle Fire response to a possible house fire in the 10900 block of 39th SW (map). It was first called in as a brush fire. More to come.

(Photo from Steph)
1:32 PM UPDATE: Firefighters on the scene are calling for more engines.

(Photo from Alison)
1:44 PM UPDATE: SFD confirms it’s a brush fire at this point but that three homes are threatened and they’re working hard to keep the flames from getting to those houses. Our crew is almost there.

1:50 PM UPDATE: We’ve just arrived at the scene. The fire has just been reported to be under control.

A video posted by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on Aug 10, 2015 at 1:54pm PDT

1:57 PM UPDATE: The fire is estimated at up to 2 acres. Now just hotspots, according to SFD. Avoid Marine View Drive in this area – fire vehicles are concentrated at 39th/109th, which is where MV Drive takes a turn. Adding photos, ours and those tweeted/sent to us (thank you!).

(Photo by Hal Tangen)
2:07 PM UPDATE: We’ve confirmed the fire did not reach any of the homes. No word of any injuries, nor of how the fire started, but SFD’s public-information officer is reported to be en route, so we’ll get an update soon, in addition to what we’re finding out from firefighters/incident commander.

2:15 PM UPDATE: The fire’s now been declared “tapped,” still with some hotspots.

2:36 PM UPDATE: We’ve just talked with SFD public-information officer Kyle Moore. He says the fire got within 75 yards of at least one house before it was stopped. The cause remains under investigation, and crews will be in the area working on hotspots for quite a while, so stay away from the south end of Marine View Drive.

3:05 PM UPDATE: If you’re seeing/hearing a helicopter – Guardian One is helping SFD locate remaining hotspots.

4:15 PM: SFD says the cause “is accidental – improperly disposed-of staining rags in direct sunlight” – someone was staining furniture and left the rags out in the open – this isn’t the first fire we’ve covered where that kind of combustion happened. Spokesperson Moore also reaffirms that no one was hurt, and that while they had Seattle Public Utilities standing by in case they needed a water boost, it wasn’t necessary – the system worked exactly as it was needed to.

Fred Robinson August 10, 2015 (1:29 pm)

The fire department website shows that the first call came in at 1:08 pm, and there were additional calls for more equipment over the next 15 minutes.

Chris August 10, 2015 (1:29 pm)

Fire response and sirens racing to the Arroyos fire for the past 20 minutes…sounds very serious! From 35th & 108th , I can’t really tell how serious! Please keep us updated!

Michele Leise August 10, 2015 (1:30 pm)

currently 6 fire trucks and 3 ambulances have all passed my home. It must be bigger than a brush fire

mrsMarty August 10, 2015 (1:31 pm)

We live in the N.Shorewood area and the smoke has reached our house thick and the sirens just keep coming…hope everything/everyone is ok!

Greystreet August 10, 2015 (1:38 pm)

Just followed a Heavy rescue truck down 35th, I turn at 104th, I’m just now seeing a helicopter fly over now, geez I hope no one was hurt!

Tyler August 10, 2015 (1:46 pm)

I’m in Arbor Heights…just past 106th…engines keep on coming……chopper overhead…..

WSB August 10, 2015 (1:50 pm)

We’re just arriving at the scene – we were at the northernmost point of West Seattle when we heard about it and this is at just about the southernmost end. The helicopter is TV. Avoid Marine View Drive in this area.

J Lardizabal August 10, 2015 (1:47 pm)

We were just leaving our home in the Arroyos when we saw the hillside go up in flames. A number of homes looked threatened.

AA August 10, 2015 (1:52 pm)

KIRO chopper, it is so close over my house I can see the lettering.

Shawn Risley August 10, 2015 (2:00 pm)

Alert neighbor, Michelle, let me know to hose down the bank area. Thanks, Tabby and Michelle.

Mike August 10, 2015 (2:02 pm)

From the Kiro Chopper http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/img/photos/2015/08/10/be/ca/brush_fire_.jpg

WSB August 10, 2015 (2:06 pm)

Continuing to update and add images (from the ground, sorry, we don’t have a chopper!) above. Fire is now under control, just some hotspots, no houses caught fire, we’re being told.

Jeremy August 10, 2015 (2:07 pm)

Happen to drive by on Marine View drive and it looks pretty big. I live on 35th and 112t and the smoke is really thick with more response teams passing by.

WSB August 10, 2015 (2:17 pm)

The smoke will linger a while but it’s “tapped” now. Two acres, as noted above. Which is certainly big for a city neighborhood!

alki resident August 10, 2015 (2:36 pm)

A lady Kari Sabye ran and knocked on doors of residence to get folks out. Then she watered back yards as the fire was spreading fast up the bank towards homes. Neighbors all helped water down back yards which really helped fire from spreading. Kudos for Michelle Norsen as well for getting out and watering neighbors yards. Pretty chaotic scene for awhile. Great job to the firemen.

bitofbutter August 10, 2015 (2:37 pm)

The fire moved incredibly quickly. My house is at the top of the hill and overlooks the ravine. Once we realized what was happening and I called 911, there was approximately one house between the fire and mine. From my vantage point on my roof, it appeared that the fire shifted directions from heading south to my house and followed the ravine north. I honestly couldn’t believe how quickly the fire moved.

Firetrucks were fast on the scene and spread out on the hillside very rapidly to douse the flames.

I’ve been so worried about the hillside this summer because it is incredibly dry. (July 4th was not my favorite day this year.)

Thank you so much to the fire crews today. My house would not have stood a chance without you.

Bradley August 10, 2015 (2:57 pm)

I’ve never seen it so dry here in Arbor Heights. Our whole street smells like a stack of firewood. Our lawn is turning to powder and any tall grass would burn like paper. GREAT JOB, firefighters! This also goes to show how bad the fire danger is around here even after getting some precipitation early this morning.

clulessinws August 10, 2015 (3:23 pm)

We really need rain or a good soaking at least. Can’t wait. This is not California or Eastern WA.

Karenr August 10, 2015 (3:26 pm)

Neighbors were on the scene quickly, helping to hose down roofs and perimeters. SFD was awesome.

Sheriff’s Dept. Helicopter has been circling for about 20 minutes now. Is this normal?

WSB August 10, 2015 (4:46 pm)

KarenR – I mentioned this in the story – Guardian One (Sheriff’s Office helicopter) was there helping SFD pinpoint hotspots. – TR

Bob formerly of west seattle August 10, 2015 (3:37 pm)

I lived on 39th for many years and this is the second fire. The first was below my home and scared us all. It was this time of year as well. Everyone be vigilant and watch for any thing or any one that is not right. I wonder how this started? The canyon is a beautiful area and has not burned so be careful. We have friends that live there. Everyone stay well.

borris August 10, 2015 (3:46 pm)

Was on the hill directly behind our house, firefighters using ours and neighbor’s house as access areas (among many). We got water going on the neighbor’s lawn since no one was home. Got pretty close to the edge of the backyards. Kudos to the great response from the firefighters and neighbors watching out for each other!

Clowja August 10, 2015 (4:08 pm)

While I’m usually home most days, today I was at the gym and got out and had 14 texts from neighbors and friends! THANK YOU to my neighbors and nextdoor neighbors Michelle Norsen, karen Rains, David Pratt and Kari Sabye for going in my back yard to water and put my sprinkler on the bluff/ravine and make sure we were safe while I was not home! Too close for comfort and I appreciate you all looking out for me and my family’s home!!

Rhonda August 10, 2015 (5:18 pm)

I’m weeping… this is my street!! And I’m on the road. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to help, neighbors. I hope everyone is ok.

Matt S. August 10, 2015 (5:49 pm)

If we all chipped in to get WSB a chopper, how much would that take exactly?

WSB August 10, 2015 (6:31 pm)

We could probably buy a share of the KING/KOMO shared chopper for the price of about five full-time reporters, which are much higher on the priority list. But thanks for the thought. And we do appreciate the neighbors who shared views that were almost from an aerial angle … TR

Matt S. August 10, 2015 (8:19 pm)

Okay TR, but if I happen upon a helicopter with five reporters in it looking for something to do, I know who I’ll contact first.

Linda Schow August 11, 2015 (12:09 pm)

Thankfully this fire did not erupt in the Arbor Heights area served by low (or no) flow fire hydrants. Somehow our city gov. leaders can find money for unnecessary repainting of crosswalks, trips abroad, etc., but just can’t scrape up the funds for critically needed infrastructure upgrades.

WSB August 11, 2015 (12:38 pm)

Which fire hydrants still need upgrading? We’ve reported on multiple upgrade projects in the past few years – ever since the infamous August 2011 fire that destroyed a house. The city has said they are all up to standards now. If you have reason to believe that’s not so, we will inquire about it – TR

cw August 11, 2015 (2:39 pm)

Thank you local fire fighters!! You’re the best!!

Linda S. August 16, 2015 (3:31 pm)

There are probably a dozen or more designated low flow hydrants in the neighborhood of the August 2011 house fire. They are identified by the red rings that were placed on each of the so-designated hydrants. Yes, some upgrading of the water main and replacement of a few hydrants near the site of the infamous fire took place, but a response received from SPU at the time cited lack of funds for more intensive upgrades to hydrants in the area. It was reported at the time that there are more than 80 such hydrants in the city, with the majority of those located in Arbor Heights. I don’t think marking a hydrant with a red ring constitutes bringing it up to standards.

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