UPDATE: Brush fire chars slope, backs up traffic on southbound Highway 509

[Seattle Fire Department photo via Twitter]

2:47 PM: Thanks to the texter who called our attention to this – Seattle Fire and North Highline Fire are on a big brush fire just east of West Seattle, along Highway 509 south of Cloverdale. SFD reports via Twitter that it’s about 5,000 square feet and is under control; we’re on our way for a look.

2:56 PM: The one thing we’ve seen so far, going over 509 on Cloverdale to look for it, is that southbound 509 is at a dead stop. Don’t even think about heading that way.

3:04 PM: The burned area is upslope on the west side of southbound 509. Some firefighting equipment is on the highway, and that’s the reason for the backup. Just tweeted by SFD:

Quick brush fire stop. Less than acre burned. Coordinated efforts of #BoeingFire #NorthHighlineFire @SeattleFire. pic.twitter.com/2AEEE7G1ci

— Seattle Fire Dept (@SeattleFire) August 4, 2016

3:29 PM: You can check this WSDOT cam to see whether the backup has cleared – still visible through the trees at lower right as of right now.

4:16 PM: Just went past the area again via northbound 509; the fire crews are gone and southbound is flowing normally.

Brian August 4, 2016 (3:30 pm)

Many people living in the woods there, surprised this doesn’t happen a lot more often.

WSB August 4, 2016 (3:39 pm)

Yes, there are, but there has been no official word yet on the cause, whether something in a camp or a passing car tossing a cigarette out the window or something else entirely.

Pw August 4, 2016 (3:43 pm)

Blue Angela did it by lighting up the sky!

nemobeansmom August 4, 2016 (3:44 pm)

I have never seen traffic backed up like that the 40 + yrs I’ve driven it! AND can I say we have some very rude people who will not let someone merge over to take the Myers Way/Olson Rd exit…you know who you are!