Smoky Washington WildFires- Evacuation Underway in Pierce County; 8 Homes Destroyed in Graham; SR-410 Closed

Smoke on the air--drone view

Fire fighters are battling to contain the multiple wildfires burning in Pierce County have destroyed several homes and prompted evacuation orders for some neighborhoods. The fire has burned almost 300,000 acres in Washington . Thousands of homes are without power. Many families have had to evacuate their homes and many homes have been lost

A multiple brush fire in Graham exploded overnight, burning 100 acres and gutting at least eight homes in the 15400 block of 240th Street East. Evacuation orders remain in place for the El Dorado Estates neighborhood as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. 

Thick fires are threatening the inhabitants, as it causes respiratory problems. Air quality is now as bad as it has been in many spots around Puget Sound. Very unhealthy. 

In Graham, firefighters were busy Monday evening responding to several brush fires in the area in windy conditions that had knocked over multiple power lines. As they headed to one particular brush fire at 240th Street and Bath Road, the fire exploded in size, according to Assistant Fire Chief Steve Richards with Graham Fire.

A drone shot capturing the destruction and devastation after a brush fire exploded overnight in #Graham. Firefighters from around the Puget Sound are working to contain the fire. pic.twitter.com/lCgmyKD3DK

— Graham Fire & Rescue (@GrahamFireWa) September 8, 2020

The fire destroyed at least eight homes and caused 100 people to be evacuated, Richards said. Another dozen homes remain threatened.

Many of those who fled the scene were at a Safeway in Graham. Cecil Bellamy says his daughter came to his house at midnight to make sure he got out.

"I was in bed when they woke me up!" he said. "I’d just gotten to sleep."

Firefighters say battling the blaze has been extra challenging due to total blackout conditions and heavy smoke in the area.

Other fires are burning in the Sumner and Bonney Lake areas. Evacuation orders are in effect in those areas too. Text PCALERT to 888777 to sign up for additional updates.

There are fires in Sumner and Bonney Lake areas. Please stay away. Evacuations orders are in effect for areas near the fires in Bonney Lake and Graham. Text PCALERT to 888777 and get signed up for additional updates. pic.twitter.com/VPvacemB1h

— Pierce County, Wash. (@PierceCo) September 8, 2020

East Pierce Fire says the evacuation areas include Meyers Road in Bonney Lake and some areas along Sumner Tapps Highway East in Sumner. Winco Foods complex was evacuated as well.

Evacuation orders are in place near Bonney Lake and homes were destroyed in Graham.

A number of roads are closed in the area as of 6:55 a.m. Tuesday, including lane closures on SR-167 near Valley Avenue East. There are traffic backups into Puyalup/SR-512. 

School has been canceled today in the Sumner-Bonney Lake and Federal Way school districts. 

SR-410 is closed in both directions in several areas, including between 181st Avnue East and 166th Avenue East. 

The wildfires burning in Pierce County are one of many burning across Washington state. On Monday alone, nearly 300,000 acres burned in Washington.