Graham neighborhood a ‘war zone’ after fast-moving fire races through

A wildfire burned through 100 acres of a Graham neighborhood rapidly, destroying eight homes and a handful of RVs, vehicles and sheds.

Assistant chief of Graham Fire and Rescue, Steve Richards, said the fire in the 15400 block of 240th Street East was one of the most challenging fires he has seen.

“I’ve been here 27 years, and this was a challenge for us,” he said. “It was like a firestorm. It spread like a, well like a wildfire.”

Crews responded to 911 calls at 11 p.m. Richards said the severe wind from Eastern Washington traveled across the Cascades and trees toppled over power lines.

The dry grass caught flame and spread quickly. By the time crews arrived, it was too late for one house close to the power lines.

“It was completely submerged in fire,” Richards said.

Throughout the night, crews from as far as Kitsap and Thurston counties tried to contain the fire. On Tuesday, Richards pointed to the charred ground on both sides of the road and said the fire jumped across the road and from structure to structure.

“It all happened within minutes,” he said.

Richards said it burned so fast because the vegetation was so dry and the wind was so strong. It was too windy to bring in a helicopter or other aerial support.

“A little fire spark would jump 30 to 50 feet and then it would start a new fire,” he said. “Our resources were taxed.”

About 100 people were evacuated, but several residents refused to leave, Richards said. There were no injuries or fatalities. Some livestock were burned, the assistant chief said.

Crews remain on scene Tuesday as vehicles, scrap and vegetation continued to smolder.

Firefighters are putting out hot spots to avoid a second wave.

“Our biggest fear is the wind picking back up. If so, we’d be right back where we were,” Richards said.

While the area is still technically being evacuated, residents are slowly returning to the El Dorado development.

‘A war zone’

While fire crews slowly began to leave, David Woodards, 28, and Kira Wolfe, 26, got shovels to snuff out the smoldering soil.

“This is my neighborhood and it’s burned down,” Woodards said. “I gotta do something.”

They live four houses down from a property that was completely burned. Several vehicles, two RVs, sheds and at least one propane tank were blackened.

Last night, flames were everywhere you turned, Wolfe said. Ammunition inside the homes burning exploded, and propane tanks were going off, Woodards. said.

“It felt like a war zone,” he said. “It was panic mode when no one knew what to do.”

The pair did not sleep. Wolfe said they were packing the car and she didn’t know which items to leave and which to take.

“You never think you’ll have to choose which of your belongings to keep and which to leave behind,” she said.

Woodards is fearful that the high winds will return and all that is left smoldering will become fire.

“All these hot spots could spread real quick,” he said.

The Salvation Army was stationed at Frontier Park to provide meals to those evacuated. About 12 meals had been handed out by midday Tuesday, employee Samantha Kelly said. Richards said the Red Cross provided motels to those who needed them.

Debbie and Scott Bickford, 56 and 54, headed to the park after a neighbor knocked on their door at midnight.

Debbie Bickford asked the neighbor how much time she had, and he said the fire wasn’t contained.

“I grabbed the kids, the dog and the medication, and that was it,” Debbie Bickford said.

They’ve had a home on 256th Street for about a year. Debbie Bickford said she doesn’t know if their property has been destroyed.

“I don’t know what’s going on. I’m trying not to cry,” she said.

The Bickfords have family in Graham, so they spent the night there.

After a few hours, Debbie and Scott Bickford returned to the area, only to find a row of fire trucks and exhausted firefighters.

“They were so tired. They looked like they were napping until it was their turn to go back in,” she said.

Deputies told the Bickfords they don’t know the state of their home.

“‘It’s a mess in there’ is what he told us,” Debbie Bickford said.

Their three kids attend Bethel School District schools. They received a call that school will continue remotely today.

Debbie Bickford said it could have been worse.

“At least everyone is OK, and we got everyone out,” she said.

Rich and Beverly Barager were also at Frontier Park, waiting to hear when they could return to their home.

A neighbor knocked on their door at about 5 a.m. to wake them up and let them know people were packing up, he said.

The 75-year-old man said his first thought was of the horses.

“We had to get the horses loaded up and out of there. And, of course, the dog,” Barager said.

While driving to Orting-Kapowsin Highway, he saw small fires in the vegetation on both sides of the road.

“It was like small brush fires everywhere,” Barager said. “It was so smoky and dark.”

They moved to their five-acre property off of 260th Street East and 150th Street East three years ago from Enumclaw.

“We love it out here,” Barager said.

The neighbor who woke them up was staying in his home and has been keeping the Baragers updated about their property. Rich Barager said he believes his house is OK.

This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 9:56 AM.