Firefighting aircraft are expected to increase over Brinnon throughout the afternoon and evening as crews respond to two growing brushfires near Highway 104 and
Firefighting aircraft are expected to increase over Brinnon throughout the afternoon and evening as crews respond to two growing brushfires near Highway 104 and Rock to Go Road.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources has established an aviation support operation in Brinnon.
A fuel truck has been positioned at the Dosewallips landing zone, and firefighting aircraft will be landing and departing from that location throughout the remainder of the day to support fire operations.
Because of the aviation activity, the Bloomfield portion of Dosewallips State Park is closed to the public until aviation operations conclude at approximately sunset.
A DNR chopper flies over the fire area on Aug. 27, 2026. (KOMO)Officials are asking people to stay clear of the landing zone and give aircraft and ground crews room to operate, and not to approach aircraft, vehicles or personnel working in the area.
Multiple agencies are now operating in the Highway 104 fire response area, where there are currently two separate fires identified as the South Branch Fire and the Rock to Go Road Fire.
The first brush fire was reported just before 1:00 pm Thursday along Highway 104 west of South Point Road in Jefferson County, and has grown to 25 acres.
As of the latest update, no evacuation zones have been established, and there is 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, and 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, and DNR, along with other agencies. Additional resources from Kitsap and Clallam counties are also responding.
Officials are asking people to avoid the Highway 104/Beaver Valley/Oak Bay area if possible, not to stop along roadways to watch fire operations, and to never fly drones near the incident because aircraft cannot safely operate when unauthorized drones are in the area.
Drivers traveling toward the Hood Canal Bridge are being told to allow significant extra time and follow all traffic-control directions.
