All lanes back open after brush fire in I-5 median near Everett
Aug 25, 2026, 4:22 PM | Updated: 4:23 pm
A photo of the brush fire along I-5 in Everett. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Transportation)
(Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Transportation)
All lanes have reopened after a brush fire in the median of I-5 near Everett was blocking the HOV lane in both directions and the southbound left general-purpose lane, as fire crews worked to douse the blaze Tuesday.
CLEAR: All lanes are now open in both directions on I-5 at 128th St SW in Everett. https://t.co/eMQGrEAtak
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) August 25, 2026
The fire broke out around 2:37 p.m. north of 128th Street SW, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced.
In an update, WSDOT confirmed there was a more than three-mile backup in both directions as fire crews and incident response units responded to the scene.
Smoke from the fire impacted visibility throughout the area, and travelers were warned to anticipate slowing down near the incident.
UPDATE: The HOV lane in both directions of I-5 north of 128th St SW near Everett are blocked due to an incident in the median. Expect to slow down as smoke is affecting visibility on I-5. https://t.co/f86wwCi8om pic.twitter.com/5kkUv2zSzy
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) August 25, 2026
Northbound I-5 was backed up to the I-405 interchange, and southbound I-5 was backed up to SR 526, according to KIRO Newsradio.
(South Everett) NB I5 just past 128th Street a brush fire in the median. Fire crews are blocking the NB I5 HOV lane. NB is backed up to the 405 interchange. SB is backed up to SR526. pic.twitter.com/Xdy5YDRSwi
— KIRO Newsradio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) August 25, 2026
Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.
