Brush fire near Alderton forces evacuation of 2 homes

East Pierce Fire & Rescue was battling a brush fire off state Route 162 near Alderton on Saturday afternoon that forced the evacuation of two homes.

The 10-acre fire near the 13300 block of Pioneer Way East started around 2:30 p.m., East Pierce Fire officials said. The fire threatened two homes in the mostly rural area.

Officials said 15 fire units, primarily from East Pierce, were on the scene trying to contain the blaze. Other agencies, including Orting Valley Fire & Rescue and the state Department of Natural Resources, assisted.

Orting Valley Fire & Rescue also said in a Facebook post Saturday that crews were battling another blaze off SR 162 near South Prairie.

“We are requesting all motorists avoid SR 162 near South Prairie and also OK Highway and 200th Street,” the post states, referring to Orting-Kapowsin Highway. “Heavy traffic in both areas is hampering emergency vehicle traffic.”

This story was originally published August 1, 2015 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Brush fire near Alderton forces evacuation of 2 homes."