Multiple fires in Mount Vernon likely human-caused
Aug 5, 2026, 4:26 PM
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Investigators are working to determine what sparked three fires in Mount Vernon on the same day.
“Based on current information, there is a high likelihood that the fires were human-caused; however, it is not known at this time whether they were accidental or intentionally set,” the fire department told KIRO 7 News.
The first fire happened just before 11 a.m. behind 2015 Freeway Drive. It burned about one acre of grass and weeds.
The second fire happened just before 7 p.m. at 420 Milwaukee St. The fire took place in a vacant lot that was enclosed by a chain-link fence. Similar to the morning incident, the lot was filled with dry grass and weeds.
The third fire was reported at 10:22 p.m. at the intersection of South Laventure Road and East Division Street. This incident involved a 4-by-4-foot section of hedges that caught fire. No other property damage was reported at the scene.
A temporary outdoor burn ban has been in effect since Aug. 1 following an emergency declaration by the governor. Fire officials noted that dry vegetation remains highly susceptible to ignition from small heat sources, such as sparks or discarded cigarette butts.
