Sumner Grade Fire update: Crews continue to make progress; some residents can re-enter homes
Crews have been hard at work overnight containing the Sumner Grade Fire, maintaining a 30 percent containment through Saturday with about 800 acres burned, per East Pierce Fire. The crews continue to make progress.
Four additional strike teams arrived to help the cause Saturday morning. Hand crews were working to expand the buffer around the outside of the fire line perimeter from 50 feet to 100 feet.
Crews face challenges with toppling trees and debris, light winds and visibility. The phased evacuation re-entry plan continues to be evaluated and will be adjusted as conditions allow, with the mission of getting people back into their homes.
Crews will spend the next several days working the perimeter of the 800-acre fire.
The center of the fire will continue to burn until more hand crews can be brought in to extinguish it. Resources are spread thin up and down the West Coast.
SOME RESIDENTS MAY RE-ENTER HOMES
Some residents are now allowed phased re-entry to their homes. Those in level three may not yet re-enter their homes. The area east of Myers Road has been downgraded to level two.
Those in the yellow area of the map are considered level two and may re-enter their residence, but should be prepared should they need to evacuate again. Those in the green area of the map are considered level one and may re-enter their residence.
Road closures for State Route 410 and Meyers Road are still in place, with local access only for Meyers Road.
The Bonney Lake Police Department urges all residents in the area to be prepared, should evacuation orders arise. Call the Pierce County Evacuation Line (253-798-1571) for evacuation questions.
This story was originally published September 12, 2020 at 2:38 PM.
