At 6:29 PM on Sunday, June 25th , at the height of the hot temperatures, crews from East Pierce Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a large brush fire near the Tehaleh Development, off of 198th Avenue E, and were on scene for three hours.

Crews arrived to find a two acre fire, that was slow moving, but with active fire in heavy brush. EPFR crews contained and knocked down the fire. Cause of the fire was undetermined. EPFR responded with two fire engines, two brush engines, one tender, two medic units, and a Battalion Chief.

The fire scene was turned over to the Washington Department of Natural Resources for mop up as it was determined to be their jurisdiction.

Fire Chief Bud Backer said this fire should serve as a warning with the July 4th holiday approaching. The wet spring added to the amount of light fuels which will make fires burn faster. The hot weekend we just experienced has made those fuels ready to burn.

The department urges caution if you’ll be using fireworks over the upcoming holiday. Also, if you are doing any activity such as hiking, camping, target shooting, or using off road vehicles in the countryside, ensure that your actions or equipment doesn’t start a fire. More than 80% of wildfires are human caused.

In other news, EPFR crews responded to 38 incidents during the 24 hour shift.