Brush fire on Fox Island burns near shoreline, threatening multiple homes
A brush fire broke out Sunday afternoon on Fox Island’s shoreline that spread up a cliff toward multiple homes, prompting a large response by fire crews, according to Gig Harbor Fire & Rescue.
The fire was first reported at about 4:50 p.m. after a boater noticed a small fire partway up a cliff and called 911, according to a tweet from the fire department. Fire crews said it appeared to start near the beach at Toy Point on the island’s southeast shore.
No homes were damaged in the fire, which burned about a half-acre. It was put out by about 6:50 p.m. Gig Harbor Fire & Rescue spokesperson Tina Curran said most units were positioned toward the top of the cliff along Ozette Drive.
“Crews were out there all night long just making sure there were no flare-ups or anything like that,” Curran said. “They’re still going to be checking at midday here today.”
About eight fire-suppression units were called to the incident along with Tacoma Fire Department’s fireboat, Destiny, and a boat from Anderson Island.
Video shared by the fire department showed a large plume of smoke rising through trees. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Signs were placed on the beach to keep people from wandering into the area, Curran said. She said the soil on the cliff is bare, and crews want to make sure there aren’t any landslide concerns.
Curran said that given how dry conditions are right now, she was grateful the fire didn’t grow any larger. She reminded people that Pierce County is still under a burn ban.
This story was originally published October 17, 2022 at 9:33 AM.
