Large Bellevue Brush Fire Likely Sparked By Fireworks

BELLEVUE, WA - In the middle of an exceptionally hot and dry week, someone set off a large brush fire in Bellevue on Wednesday with fireworks, according to the fire department.

The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in a field behind Sammamish High School. The fire burned a huge swath of grass, and multiple fire units had to respond to get it under control.

Fireworks are always illegal in Bellevue. You can get up to a $1,000 fine for using them.

Brush fires have been breaking out all week across Western Washington. Sun-baked grass and brush is the perfect fuel for a fire, and can be set off by as much as a cigarette butt or spark. There's a burn ban in effect in King County for any fire except those in a recreational fire pit.

Image courtesy Bellevue fire