Lake Ballinger island fire continues to burn
Lake Ballinger island fire continues to burn
4 August 2009
published by heraldnet.com
USA — Fire continues to smolder in the peat moss of an island in the middle of Lake Ballinger, sending smoke into the neighborhood and frustrating firefighters.
Wildland crews used hand tools Monday to pump water onto hot spots and try to control the smoke, Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said. The fire is about 80 percent contained.
The fire was sparked last week by an illegal barbecue on the island, she said. In the past, fires on Ballinger Island have smoldered for weeks.
Fire District 1 crews arent trained in wildland fires, she said. And Department of Natural Resources crews are busy fighting other fires. Thats resulted in crews from other Snohomish County fire district helping to battle the island blaze.
We know the smoke is an annoyance, especially when people want to have their windows open because of the hot weather, Hynes said. Were doing all we can with the resources at our disposal to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.
