Some Residents Allowed Back Home As Pierce County Fires Rage

BONNEY LAKE, WA — The Sumner Grade Fire remains 20 percent contained with an estimated 800 acres burned in the Bonney Lake and Sumner area as of Friday, as some residents have been allowed back into their homes.

Overnight, a Red Flag Warning was in effect until 11 p.m., as winds, dry conditions and high temperatures made for dangerous fire conditions.

The East Fire Pierce department said they received many calls about increased smoke in the area around Sumner View Estates and Winco. Fire units determined there was no immediate threat to residents.

"There are many hot spots that are (and have been) smoldering which are much more visible when it's dark outside," the fire department wrote on Twitter Thursday night. "Please only call 911 if you see flames that are threatening a structure."

Crews also responded to two brush fires behind Safeway in Bonney Lake around 8 p.m. The cause of the fires is currently being investigated.

Resources to fight the fire are extremely low, according to the East Pierce Fire department.

"We struggle to obtain the proper equipment and resources for this fire," the department wrote on Twitter Thursday morning. "We are making do with what we have."

Related: Poor Air Quality From Fires Could Hit 'Unhealthy' Levels Friday

Donations for those who have been affected by the fire can be made through the Red Cross.

Evacuations and phased home re-entry

Residents who have been affected by the Sumner Grade Fire are now allowed to re-enter their homes through a phased re-entry system. Not all residents are cleared to re-enter their homes.

Red areas of the map are considered Level 3 are not cleared to go back to their homes.

Areas marked in yellow are considered Level 2 and are allowed to return to their homes but are advised to be ready to evacuated again.

Areas marked in green are considered Level 1. Residents in those areas are allowed to re-enter their homes.

In addition, the Angeline Road evacuation order has been lifted. As of Friday evening, the road closures at SR 410 and Meyers Road are still in place.

On Thursday, the Department of Transportation advised the SR 410 is likely to remain closed into next week, due to trees and power lines in the road, as well as softball-sized rocks that are falling in the area.

Residents with questions can contact the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management at (253) 798-1571. Residents can also sign up for text alerts by texting PCALERT to 888777.

Those who have been evacuated and need shelter can call the Red Cross at (571)595-7723.

Thursday afternoon, Washington State Police arrested a person for lighting grass in the area of State Routes 512 and 7. After a short foot chase, police said they had one person in custody.

Weather conditions and air quality

As of 5 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service in Seattle said the air quality had deteriorated overnight, with an area from Shelton to Hoquiam to Taholah in the hazardous category at 5 a.m. and air quality in the Puget Sound area creeping towards very unhealthy.

The NWS said temperatures will be up to 20 degrees cooler on Friday.

The Central Pierce Fire & Rescue department on Thursday advised residents to check on family members and neighbors due to the extreme weather conditions.

During record temperatures, residents are advised to find air conditioning, avoid strenuous activities, wear light clothing, drink plenty of fluids and never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle.

School has been canceled for the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District for the rest of the week due to the fires

"As we continue to face the unfortunate impacts of multiple fires in our area with associated evacuations, power outages and no internet access, we also face the subsequent reality of not being able to – equitably – begin school in a distance learning format," the school district said in an announcement on its website.

Related:

• School Canceled This Week For Sumner-Bonney Lake Due To Fires
• Western Washington Forecast: 'Hot, Dry, and Smoky'
• Washington Air Quality Forecast: Smoke Lingers For Another Day
• Poor Air Quality From Fires Could Hit 'Unhealthy' Levels Friday
• State Route 410 To Remain Closed Through Next Week Due To Fires

These wildfires are still active and conditions are expected to change. Patch will update this page when they do.