Brush fire snarls traffic on Interstate 5 in Tacoma
NOTE: Story updated with probable cause.
A brush fire along Interstate 5 snarled traffic along the freeway Tuesday afternoon.
The fire, which began around 3 p.m., burned an area along the east side of the freeway at 84th Street. The blaze burned 2-3 acres, said Tacoma Fire spokesman Joe Meinecke.
On Wednesday, Meinecke said investigators believe the cause was a burning cigarette discarded into dry grass from a vehicle on Interstate 5.
The fire burned up hill and caught two tents on fire, Meinecke said. Crews from Tacoma Fire Department had the grass and brush knocked down by 3:15 p.m.
Smoke and equipment on the freeway has caused backups as far south as JBLM in the northbound lanes, according to state Department of Transportation data.
There were no injuries. Crews were continuing to work on hot spots at 4:15 p.m.
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 4:24 PM.
