Green Valley Fire Burns 50 Acres Near Auburn, State Help Approved

AUBURN, WA — Fire crews from around the region were working to contain a large brush fire burning east of Auburn, which prompted some Level 2 evacuations on Monday.

The Green Valley Fire ignited Sunday afternoon amid an unseasonably stretch of warm and dry weather. According to Valley Regional Fire, at least six agencies were involved with the initial response, dispatched to the 35200 block of Green Valley Road.

Early Monday evening, the Washington State Fire Marshal announced the state would mobilize resources to assist at the request of local fire crews as the fire reached 50 acres and began to threaten homes. Level 2 evacuations were in place for some homes nearest to the flames.

State fire officials said the flames are burning in grass, brush, slash and timber. Its cause remains under investigation. The Fire Protection Bureau has requested a helicopter, heavy equipment and two hand crews, while the state's emergency operations center at Camp Murray is at Level 1 to coordinate the ongoing response.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources said its crews responded to 91 fires in the last week, during a prolonged run of above-average temperatures with no rain in sight. According to the latest forecasts, wet weather is likely to return by the weekend.