Sammamish brush fires threaten neighborhoods

Eastside Fire & Rescue crews responded to two brush fires in the Sammamish area this week.

Eastside Fire & Rescue crews responded to two brush fires in the Sammamish area this week.

The first, in a bog near a residential neighborhood in Klahanie, broke out in the 24500 block of Southeast 34th Place about 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28.

The second shut down East Lake Sammamish Parkway, between Inglewood Hill Road and the northern city limits of Sammamish, around 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. That fire began in the 3200 block of East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast  shortly after 4 p.m.

No one was hurt in either blaze and both were likely caused by humans, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Tryon said.

Smoke from the Tuesday fire near Klahanie Park was reportedly seen from miles out, as far north as Sahalee Way Northeast and as east as Seattle, Tryon said.

Once located, in the center of a muddy swamp surrounded by brush and vegetation, firefighters struggled to extinguish the fire, as it was burning in heavy peat moss and it was difficult to access.

“It’s going to smolder until the rains return,” Tryon said. “It’s truly amazing to see a swamp on fire.”

This was the second bog to catch fire in Sammamish this year. The previous one, caused by fireworks, was in March.

Crews remained on scene overnight to keep an eye on the area and will continue to monitor the site until the fall rain returns.

Tryon said the fire likely started in a “hangout” area where someone had a campfire.

The roughly 2-acre by 1-acre fire was about 100 yards from nearby homes on Southeast 34th, Tryon said.

In order to keep residences safe, Tryon asks people to be mindful of dry debris around the home. He suggests trimming low, dry tree limbs and regularly mowing the lawn — even if it is dead.

“Simple stuff like that would help keep everyone safer,” he said.

About 50 firefighters, including three from the Duvall Fire Department, responded to the Klahanie fire. It took 11 engines, including four brush engines, to contain the flames.

The Redmond Fire Department assisted with the Parkway fire.