More than 100 firefighters from across Snohomish County extinguished multiple brush fires along northbound I-5 in Marysville August 1, working alongside law enforcement and even community members in a massive joint effort to prevent injuries and protect businesses.

Witnesses began calling 911 shortly after 4:30 p.m., reporting as many as six brush fires along I-5 between mileposts 203 and 206. While en route, Marysville Fire District command staff began requesting additional resources due to the proximity of the fires to businesses along Smokey Point Blvd. Wind contributed to the fast spread of flames and the three-alarm fire eventually burned a total area of approximately 16 acres. 

As the fires spread, community members used garden hoses and buckets of water to help firefighters protect businesses. Marysville Police and the Washington Station Patrol responded quickly to direct traffic, shutting down a portion of Smokey Point Blvd. and two lanes of I-5 due to low visibility and to provide better access for firefighters.

Quick action from firefighters and residents limited the damage to just three buildings. The damage is minor, totaling less than $10,000. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office and Marysville Police, in partnership with Marysville Fire District.

“An incredible response like this is only possible because of strong relationships with our partner agencies, said Fire Chief Ned Vander Pol. “We want to emphasize our fire risk remains very high. Be extremely careful with any heat source and take steps to protect your home or business from wildland fires.”

One step homeowners and businesses can take is cutting back vegetation to create defensible space around a structure. For other ways to prepare, visit https://www.dnr.wa.gov/firewise.

We thank the many partner agencies who assisted us during this incident, including the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Marysville Police, Washington State Patrol, Tulalip Bay Fire, Tulalip Bay Police, Everett Fire, North County Fire & EMS, Getchell Fire, Silvana Fire, Mukilteo Fire, South County Fire, Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue, Granite Falls Fire, Sultan Fire, Gold Bar Fire, Oso Fire and Fire District 21.