Brinnon Fire Department

08/31/2026

When the Big One Happens, Nobody Does It Alone

When most people think about a major emergency, they picture the fire engine or ambulance arriving with lights and sirens.

What they may not see is everything happening behind the scenes, and just how many people and agencies are working together to make that response possible.

That is especially true in a rural community like ours.

Recently, our area experienced an afternoon with multiple serious emergencies occurring within a relatively short period of time. While crews were handling a major motor vehicle collision involving several critically injured patients, another unrelated critical incident occurred elsewhere in the district. Multiple patients ultimately required air medical transport.

Those are the kinds of days that test an emergency response system.

Brinnon Fire Department is a small rural fire department. We are proud of what our members are capable of doing, but no rural department can handle every major incident completely on its own.

Fortunately, we don’t have to.

When a significant incident occurs, the response quickly becomes much larger than the name written on the side of the first fire engine.

Our neighboring fire departments respond through mutual aid. JeffCom 911 dispatchers coordinate resources, track units, and continue handling other emergencies throughout the county. Law enforcement manages traffic, investigates crashes, and helps keep emergency scenes safe. Air medical crews bring critical-care capabilities directly to our patients. Hospitals prepare to receive them.

Every piece matters.

Mutual aid is particularly important in Brinnon, Quilcene, and the other rural communities of Jefferson County. We don’t have unlimited firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, ambulances, or fire engines sitting in stations waiting for something to happen.

And while one major incident is underway, everything else doesn’t stop. Someone can still have chest pain. Another collision can happen. A fire can start. Someone can fall and be seriously injured.

That is why we depend on one another.

And it works both ways.

There are days when firefighters and equipment from neighboring departments come south to help Brinnon. There are other days when Brinnon crews head north to help them.

The patch on the uniform may be different, but when we arrive at an emergency, the mission is the same:

Take care of the people who need us.

Those relationships are built long before an emergency happens. They’re built by training together, communicating, understanding each other’s equipment and capabilities, and developing trust.

When you’ve stood beside someone on a difficult call, you learn very quickly how important those relationships are.

Our community has a role, too. Giving emergency vehicles room to operate, staying clear of emergency scenes, following traffic-control directions, and using 911 appropriately all help responders concentrate on the people who need them most.

And there is one group I never want to overlook: the dispatchers at JeffCom 911.

Long before most of us know an emergency exists, they’re already working. They answer the call, gather information, dispatch the appropriate resources, and continue coordinating while simultaneously handling everything else occurring throughout the county. On a major incident, that coordination is invaluable.

We are fortunate to have strong working relationships with Quilcene Fire Rescue, East Jefferson Fire Rescue, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, our air medical partners, Jeffcom 911, and the many other organizations that answer when they’re needed.

None of us does this work alone.

That’s worth remembering when you see several different agencies at an emergency scene. It isn’t an indication that something has gone wrong.

Quite the opposite.

It means the system is working the way it was designed to work.

A small rural community may never have every resource it could possibly need sitting within its own boundaries. What we can have is a network of people and agencies willing to answer when someone calls for help.

And when the big one happens, whatever that “big one” happens to be that day, those relationships can make all the difference.

In a rural community, mutual aid isn’t a backup plan. It is part of the plan.

Tim Manly
Fire Chief
Brinnon Fire Department

08/28/2026

HORSESHOE FIRE – MORNING UPDATE | AUGUST 28

Crews worked throughout the night on the Horseshoe Fire and continue to make progress.

As of this morning, the west fire remains approximately 20 acres and 25% contained. Crews have established a dozer line around the perimeter, and forward progress of the fire has been stopped.

The goal is to reach approximately 50% containment by the end of Friday.

A Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) strike team is en route and will continue working on the fire over the next two days. There will be no air operations today.

As of approximately 8:45 AM, SR 104 is fully OPEN to traffic in both directions. Motorists traveling through the area should continue to use caution and watch for firefighters, equipment, and emergency vehicles working near the roadway.

Most importantly, there continue to be NO evacuation orders in place.

A REMINDER ABOUT 911

Emergency dispatchers have received a significant number of 911 calls requesting general information about the Horseshoe Fire, road conditions, traffic, and closures.

Please remember that 911 is for reporting emergencies, not for general incident or traffic information. These information calls can tie up emergency lines and dispatchers who need to be available for people experiencing an emergency.

If you see a new fire, smoke that appears to be coming from a new or different location, or another situation that you reasonably believe is an emergency, please call 911. We do not want anyone hesitating to report a legitimate emergency.

For general Horseshoe Fire updates, road information, and changing conditions, please use official agency updates and Nixle rather than calling 911.

This is encouraging progress following yesterday’s response and overnight operations, but crews still have work ahead of them as they strengthen containment.

For the latest official incident information, please continue to follow East Jefferson Fire Rescue’s updates.

Thank you to all of the firefighters, dispatchers, and supporting agencies who worked through the night and continue their work today.

Brinnon Fire Department

08/28/2026

HORSESHOE FIRE UPDATE – SR 104 IS OPEN

Good news to start the morning.

SR 104 is now OPEN in both directions.

The overnight closure associated with the Horseshoe Fire has been lifted, and traffic is once again able to travel normally through the area.

Please continue to use caution when traveling through the fire area. Firefighters and equipment may still be operating nearby, so slow down, remain alert, and give emergency personnel plenty of room.

And yes, we know we said our next update would be after 9:00 AM. Getting Highway 104 reopened seemed like pretty good reason to break that promise a little early.

We’ll provide a more complete Horseshoe Fire update later this morning as additional information becomes available.

Safe travels this morning, everyone.

Brinnon Fire Department

08/28/2026

HORSESHOE FIRE – FINAL EVENING UPDATE | AUGUST 27

Barring any significant changes, this will be our final update for the evening on the Horseshoe Fire. We plan to provide another update after 9:00 AM tomorrow.

There is encouraging news from the fire tonight.

Air operations have concluded for the evening, and crews made good progress today. The fire remains just under 20 acres, and its growth has slowed. DNR and East Jefferson Fire Rescue resources will remain on scene throughout the night continuing fire operations.

There continue to be NO evacuation orders in place at this time.

SR 104 WILL REMAIN CLOSED OVERNIGHT

SR 104 between SR 19 and South Point Road will remain closed overnight.

For those traveling from the Hood Canal Bridge:

• There is a soft closure at the bridge roundabout, with through traffic being redirected onto Paradise Bay Road.
• Local traffic only may continue westbound on SR 104 as far as South Point Road.
• At South Point Road, there is a hard closure and traffic will not be permitted beyond that point.
• Westbound SR 104 traffic can detour using Paradise Bay Road.
• Eastbound SR 104 traffic is being detoured at SR 19.

Please expect additional traffic and longer travel times on Paradise Bay Road, SR 19, Highway 101, and surrounding roads. Slow down, be patient, and remain alert for emergency vehicles and personnel working throughout the area.

Again, there are NO evacuation orders currently in place.

For the latest official incident information overnight, please follow East Jefferson Fire Rescue’s Facebook updates.

Unless there is a significant change affecting public safety, Brinnon Fire Department will not post additional updates tonight. We will check conditions in the morning and plan to provide our next community update after 9:00 AM.

Thank you to everyone who has been patient with the road closures and detours today, and thank you to the firefighters, aircraft crews, dispatchers, law enforcement, WSDOT, emergency management personnel, and all of the agencies working together on the Horseshoe Fire.

Have a safe night, everyone.

Brinnon Fire Department

08/28/2026

EVENING UPDATE – HORSESHOE FIRE / SR 104

The Horseshoe Fire, which began shortly after 1:00 PM near SR 104 and Rocktogo Road in Jefferson County, consists of two fire areas being worked by crews.

East Jefferson Fire Rescue led the initial response, with assistance from Brinnon Fire Department, Quilcene Fire Rescue, agencies from Clallam and Kitsap counties, Naval Magazine Indian Island, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR assumed command of the incident at approximately 5:00 PM.

As of 5:00 PM:

• The east fire is 100% contained, with crews continuing to maintain containment.

• The west fire is approximately 20 acres and 25% contained. Ground crews and aircraft continue working to establish containment.

• Fire spread has slowed and is currently moving slightly northwest, away from residences in the Teal Lake and Olympic Tracks areas.

• There are NO evacuation orders in place at this time.

SR 104 WILL REMAIN CLOSED OVERNIGHT.

Westbound SR 104 traffic is being detoured at Paradise Bay Road, and eastbound traffic is being detoured at SR 19.

Heavy traffic is being reported on the detour routes. Anyone traveling through the area should expect delays on Paradise Bay Road, SR 19, and Highway 101, allow additional travel time, and watch for emergency vehicles.

Firefighters will continue working through the evening and overnight. Please do not enter closed areas or stop along roadways to watch fire operations.

Thank you to all of the firefighters, aircraft crews, law enforcement officers, WSDOT personnel, emergency management staff, dispatchers, and others supporting today’s response.

We will continue sharing confirmed information as significant updates become available.

For the latest official incident information on the Horseshoe Fire, please follow East Jefferson Fire Rescue’s page, as they will continue providing updates as conditions change.

Brinnon Fire Department

08/27/2026

BRINNON COMMUNITY NOTICE – AIR OPERATIONS

As part of the ongoing response to the wildland fires near Highway 104, DNR has established an aviation support operation here in Brinnon.

A fuel truck has been positioned at the Dosewallips landing zone, and firefighting aircraft will be landing and departing from this location throughout the remainder of the day as they support fire operations.

Because of this activity, the Bloomfield portion of Dosewallips State Park is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until aviation operations conclude at approximately sunset.

For everyone’s safety, please stay clear of the landing zone and give aircraft and ground crews plenty of room to operate. Do not approach aircraft, vehicles, or personnel working in the area.

Brinnon residents should also expect to see and hear increased aircraft activity throughout the afternoon and evening. This is associated with the Highway 104 fire response.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and ask that you respect the temporary closure. Keeping the area clear allows these crews to safely and efficiently support the firefighters working on the incident.

The area is expected to reopen once air operations have concluded for the day.

Brinnon Fire Department

08/27/2026

🔥 UPDATE – HIGHWAY 104 WILDLAND FIRES 🔥

The response to the wildland fires near Highway 104 and Rock to Go Road continues to grow, with multiple agencies now operating in the area.

There are currently two separate fires, identified as the South Branch Fire and the Rock to Go Road Fire.

At this time:

• No evacuation zones have been established
• There is currently no reliable estimate of fire size
• Highway 104 remains impacted by fire operations
• A UH-1 helicopter is conducting water drops in support of ground crews
• The Jefferson County Emergency Operations Center is operating at Level 4

Resources on scene include Brinnon Fire Department, Quilcene Fire Rescue, Naval Magazine Indian Island, DNR, and other agencies. Additional resources from Kitsap and Clallam counties are also responding.

DNR has an Incident Commander on scene and is expected to assume a larger command role as operations continue.

A formal incident briefing is scheduled for 3:00 PM, and we expect additional confirmed information following that briefing.

Please avoid the Highway 104/Beaver Valley/Oak Bay area if possible. Do not stop along roadways to watch fire operations, and never fly drones near the incident. Aircraft cannot safely operate when unauthorized drones are in the area.

If you need to travel toward the Hood Canal Bridge, continue to allow significant extra time and follow all traffic-control directions.

We will post another update when we receive confirmed information.

Brinnon Fire Department

08/27/2026

TRAFFIC ALERT: BRUSH FIRE NEAR HIGHWAY 104

Brinnon Fire Department is sharing an important traffic update for anyone planning to travel toward the Hood Canal Bridge this afternoon.

A brush fire near Highway 104 and Rock to Go Road, in the Beaver Valley/Highway 104 area, has resulted in the closure of Highway 104 beyond the roundabout.

Traffic is currently being rerouted through the Port Hadlock area.

For Brinnon-area residents traveling toward the Hood Canal Bridge: we recommend traveling toward QFC, then using Oak Bay Road to Paradise Bay Road to reach the bridge area rather than continuing toward the Highway 104 closure.

If you need to cross the Hood Canal Bridge for an appointment, work, ferry connection, or other time-sensitive travel, leave early and allow plenty of additional time. Traffic is likely to increase significantly on the alternate routes as more motorists are diverted.

Please:

• Slow down and expect heavier-than-normal traffic on Oak Bay and Paradise Bay roads.
• Watch for emergency vehicles and personnel.
• Do not attempt to drive around road closures or traffic-control devices.
• Give fire crews plenty of room to work.
• Be especially cautious on the alternate routes, which are not designed for normal Highway 104 traffic volumes.

Conditions can change quickly during a wildland fire response. Avoid the Highway 104 area if you do not need to travel through it.

We will share additional information if there are significant changes affecting travel for the Brinnon community.

Please travel safely.

Brinnon Fire Department

EJFR is responding to a brush five along Highway 104 at Rocktogo Road. Crews have reported a 50' x 50' fire in brush below some power lines. An additional brush fire has been reported on the north side of Highway 104. Highway 104 is closed in both directions. Avoid this area due to emergency response.

More details will be provided when available.

08/25/2026

🚌 School Starts This Week: Please Slow Down and Watch for Kids

As students across our community head back to school this week, Brinnon Fire Department wants to remind everyone that our morning and afternoon routines are about to change.

You’ll see school buses back on Highway 101 and our local roads, children waiting at bus stops, and students walking near roadways. Please give yourself a little extra time and stay alert.

A few important reminders:

• Slow down when approaching school bus stops and areas where children are present.
• Watch carefully for children walking along or crossing roadways, especially during the morning and afternoon hours.
• Expect school buses to make frequent stops and give them plenty of following distance.
• Never pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing and stop sign is extended.
• Be especially careful on Highway 101. Children may be waiting near the highway or crossing to reach their bus stop.
• Put the phone down and keep your attention on the road. A few seconds of distraction can have serious consequences.
• Remember that children can be unpredictable. Don’t assume they see you or will wait for you to pass.

And for our students: make eye contact with drivers before crossing, stay a safe distance from the roadway while waiting for your bus, and listen to your bus driver’s instructions.

The extra minute or two it takes to slow down and wait for a school bus is nothing compared with the consequences of a preventable accident.

Let’s help make the start of another school year a safe one for our kids, our bus drivers, and our entire Brinnon community.

Have a great first week of school!

Brinnon Fire Department

08/24/2026

🚒🌲 Wildland Deployment Update 🌲🚒

Our Brinnon Fire Department personnel continue their deployment with the Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team.

Firefighter Ben Bruner remains assigned with the team and has now been extended for an additional week. Lt. Jacob Ellis has completed his portion of the assignment and returned home, with Firefighter Antonio Rubal rotating in to continue Brinnon's support of the team.

As they do each morning, personnel checked in with us today. Everyone is doing well, and based on the current assignment, the team is expecting to remain deployed through the first week of September.

These extended wildland assignments are a team effort both on the fire and back home. Personnel rotate in and out so the mission can continue while maintaining staffing and emergency coverage here in Brinnon.

For Ben, this has been an especially long stretch of wildland work. After spending two weeks assigned to the Skyo Fire, getting some much-needed rest at home, he headed back out with the team and is now staying for another week.

We are proud of Ben and Antonio for representing Brinnon Fire Department, and we're glad to have Jacob back home after his assignment.

We also appreciate the families who support our members while they're away and the personnel here at home who continue covering our community while their coworkers are deployed.

Stay safe, gentlemen. We'll keep things covered here until you're home.

Brinnon Fire Department