‘Leave now’: Evacuation issued for residents south of 410 as Bonney Lake fire spreads
UPDATE: Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, Tacoma Fire Department said the wildfire that started in Bonney Lake has burned about 150 acres, four structures and is approximately 20 percent contained.
A “Level 3” evacuation alert has been issued for all areas south and west of state Route 410 all the way to Angeline Road and Rhodes Lake Road to McCutcheon in Pierce County due to a spreading wildfire, according to the Bonney Lake Police Department.
A Level 3 evacuation alert means there is immediate danger in the area and residents should leave immediately.
“Please leave now,” the Bonney Lake Police Department said on Twitter.
The alert comes shortly after a Level 2 evacuation alert was made asking people to prepare to leave.
“Prepare your route. Traffic will be difficult,” the Bonney Lake Police Department tweeted.
People are asked to call the Pierce County Evacuation Line at 253-798-1571 for any questions.
The fire between Sumner and Bonney Lake, called the Sumner Grade Fire, started around 12:10 a.m. Tuesday and is estimated at 50 acres and growing, according to an email from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s office on Tuesday.
“It is threatening structures, power lines, and roadways,” the email said. “The fire cause is currently under investigation. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered one strike team and aircraft.”
As of Tuesday evening, the fire had made its way down to the valley, with 166th Avenue East closed south of city limits, the City of Sumner staff said on Twitter. Winco is closed.
Residents of Bonney Lake along Myers Road evacuated earlier Tuesday.
SR 410 between Sumner and Bonney Lake will remain closed for at least another 24 hours, the state Department of Transportation said Tuesday evening.
A previous version of this story said that Winco in Sumner was open. Winco has since closed.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 6:39 PM.
