VIDEO: A series of brush fires put firefighters to the test across Thurston County this week. On Thursday, a fire outside the town of Rainier burned 26 acres. Strong winds made the flames spread quickly, prompting evacuation alerts for local residents. The response involved multiple agencies working together under a regional plan. Thurston Countyโs 13 fire departments were joined by crews from Pierce and Grays Harbor counties. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources also sent hand crews, engines, and helicopters to help.
โOne of our neighbors banged on my door and said, โDude, thereโs a fire. Get out!โ I looked out and there was a wall of fire around me,โ said homeowner Al Ceniza. Fire Chief Andrew Schaffran of East Olympia Fire District No. 6 said the coordinated response was crucial. โWhen we reached the maximum our county can support, it went into a regional plan. We got agencies from Central Pierce Fire and other Pierce County agencies. Grays Harbor also came to help because we were out of resources. We still had our normal 911 calls coming in at the same time. Itโs quite the chess game that we have to play,โ Chief Schaffran said.
