Sunday, July 12, 2015, multiple brush fires broke out along the I-90 median near Snoqualmie. Sunday, July 19th, amidst 100+ degree temperatures, local firefighters battled a fast spreading, large brush fire in North Bend along the Snoqualmie River near Tanner Landing Park.
Then early Monday morning, July 20th, Snoqualmie Police Chief Steve McCulley said a small brush fire broke out near I-90 exit 31 in North Bend. Winds brought the distinct smokey smell and hazy skies to Snoqualmie right as the sun was rising on Monday, which was reported by multiple readers.
The following day, Tuesday, July 21st, around 2:30AM, Glynis Rodgers woke to the sound of crackling in the woods behind her home in the new Si View neighborhood of North Bend. She said he looked out and saw a small fire in at least one tree, but luckily the fire woke her neighbor’s dogs. The nearby fire department was alerted and quickly had the fire out.
Rogers said firefighters would not comment on the origin of the fire, but did say it did not start naturally and there were no fireworks found in the area. She thought maybe someone might have been smoking on the trail behind her home.
And then again…. on Thursday, July 23rd, another fire broke out just outside of Snoqualmie. It was described by Eastside Firefighters Facebook page as a “100 x 100 brush fire.” It was knocked down and mopped up in by mid afternoon.
Local weather forecasters say our area will get a break from the record dry spell this weekend as rain should move in late Friday afternoon, with showers lingering on Saturday and possibly more steady rain on Sunday.
With as dry as things have been, it still might not be enough to stop the brush fire danger. And by next Monday, it’s back to sunny skies, warm temps and the seemingly endless dry summer of 2015.
