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:

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.

6 Replies to "UPDATE: Brush fire chars slope, backs up traffic on southbound Highway 509"

  • 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! 

  • Sam August 4, 2016 (4:10 pm)

    Not sure if it’s related but there is also a fire response on Derringer at Myrtle. Part of a wooded hillside is burned.

    • WSB August 4, 2016 (4:14 pm)

      You mean Delridge? That’s miles away, but we’re headed that way for a look.

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