Brush fire backs up traffic for 16 miles on Interstate 5

Sat., Aug. 21, 2004

Associated Press

LACEY, Wash. — A fast-moving brush fire burned to the edge of Interstate 5 here Friday, and came within four feet of several homes.

While the fire burned no structures, according to Division Chief Gary Pearson of the Lacey Fire Department, it backed up southbound I-5 traffic for about 16 miles.

As many as 80 firefighters battled the blaze, which was reported just before 10:30 a.m.

Firefighters from Lacey, Olympia, Thurston County, Fort Lewis and the Department of Natural Resources worked together to fight the blaze.

The cause of the fire was unknown.

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