At least 10 brush fires on Whidbey Island along State Route 525, and eastbound State Route 18 in Auburn was closed for more than two hours after another brush fire.
The road re-opened about 4:15 p.m. Friday, though traffic was backed up for miles and people were asked to avoid the area. Some homes were evacuated on Whidbey, and residents there were also asked to avoid State Route 525 because of backups.
The Auburn fire went through 20 acres of bruch along the highway and one home was evacuated as a precaution during the blaze. In June of this year, Valley Fire put out 48 brush fires. Last June, they had only 10.
Brush fires also were reported in Central Pierce County.
PHOTOS: Crews battle brush fires in three areas
The Whidbey Island brush fires were reported from Scott Road to Double Bluff Road alongside SR 525. That is about three quarters of a mile.
It was not clear how many homes were evacuated. Authorities were not immediately clear how the fires started and there were no reports of injuries.
In Pierce County, firefighters also quickly extinguished three small brush fires behind the Supper Supplements at South Hill.
KIRO
