PORT TOWNSEND — East Jefferson Fire Rescue crews extinguished a brush fire along Mill Road on Saturday.
Since there were no fire hydrants in the vicinity, the fire district’s water tenders were crucial, according to a press release.
“Having 10,000 gallons of water on wheels is a game-changer,” incident commander Chris Kauzlarich said.
Firefighters were called about 2:30 p.m. Saturday to a fast-moving brush fire that was burning shrubs and trees adjacent to Coon Plumbing, the fire district said.
Crews from the first fire engine to arrive attacked the flames on the right flank, and a second fire engine arrived shortly thereafter and was assigned to the left flank. Both crews fought flames as the fire pushed toward a thick stand of trees.
Although winds were 5 to 10 mph at the time, firefighters slowed the progress of the fire, the district said.
Additional engines were called in addition to the fire district’s brigade of all-volunteer water tenders.
Volunteers from Cape George, Marrowstone Island, Kala Point and Paradise Bay responded, the fire district said.
Crews contained the fire by 4:30 p.m. and worked for several hours to put out hotspots, the fire district said.
The cause was not determined Saturday.
Quilcene Fire District 2 sent a brush engine and a fire investigator while the Port Townsend Police Department helped to locate the fire and provide access, the fire district said.
