Brush fire threatens 100 homes in Grand Mound near I-5

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Associated Press

GRAND MOUND — Authorities say a fast-moving brush fire south of Olympia in the Grand Mound area is threatening an estimated 100 homes and has reached I-5, causing slowdowns.

Washington Department of Natural Resources Fire said on Twitter Tuesday afternoon that people in homes in a neighborhood around Sargent Road Southwest in Grand Mound were being told to evacuate immediately.

Officials say the fire had burned less than a square mile but was moving southeast quickly.

The Washington state Fire Marshal said on Twitter Tuesday afternoon that state mobilization had been approved.

The Washington Department of Transportation tweeted a photo showing smoke visible from traffic cameras over northbound Interstate-5 and closing the right lane. Slowdowns were expected in both directions.

The sheriff’s office was asking drivers to avoid the area.