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News brief: Grass, brush along I-5 ignites

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Members of two fire departments chased flames along the freeway yesterday. / Courtesy photo by Washington State Patrol

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Multiple fires broke out along a two to three mile stretch adjacent to southbound Interstate 5 south of Napavine yesterday.

Members of Lewis County Fire Districts 15 and 5 were called out about 1:45 p.m.

The fires were quickly knocked down by the first responding units as they advanced down the roadway and then extinguished by secondary responding units, according to Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Anderson.

A single lane was blocked by the state Department of Transportation to allow a safe working area, Anderson said.

Washington State Patrol spokesperson Trooper Will Finn said the cause is unknown but one theory was a vehicle backfiring.

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Firefighter extinguishes freeway brush fire. / Courtesy photo by Washington State Patrol