Rush-hour drivers on northbound State Route 167 through Auburn had their Thursday commute thrown into disarray as multiple brush fires flared along the highway, shutting general-purpose lanes and tying up traffic in both directions. Fire crews zeroed in on problem spots near 15th Street Southwest and Fourth Street Southwest while smoke drifted across the roadway and cut down visibility, turning the corridor into a slow-moving slog.
Backups stacked up toward Sumner and Pacific as emergency units worked the scene and drivers inched past the action.
According to KOMO, the Washington State Department of Transportation said the SR 167 express toll lanes stayed open and were temporarily made available to all drivers moving through the impacted stretch, an effort to keep at least one route flowing while the general-purpose lanes were restricted.
Valley Regional Fire Authority told KOMO that engines and units from Puget Sound Fire and South King Fire joined the response at multiple northbound locations, with Washington State Patrol troopers assisting. Officials said crews had the main blazes contained and were mopping up spot fires while investigators worked to pin down a cause.
Where Crews Zeroed In
WSDOT reported closures near 15th Street SW and Fourth Street SW and reiterated that the express toll lanes through the area were kept open to move traffic past the fire activity.
The SR 167 HOT and express toll lane system runs between Renton and Auburn and is designed to give drivers a faster, more reliable option when the regular lanes clog up. WSDOT materials note that the system can be actively managed during crashes, fires, and special events to help keep traffic from grinding to a complete halt.
Traffic Impact And Advice
With backups building along the corridor, authorities urged drivers to slow down, use extra caution, and budget more time while fire crews stayed on scene, KOMO reported. Washington State Patrol troopers helped manage traffic while firefighters focused on knocking down hotspots and preventing flare-ups along the freeway shoulder.
Commuters were told to watch for emergency vehicles, heed lane closures, and expect delays until crews could finish cleanup and inspect the area.
SR 167’s Ongoing Brush Fire Problem
Brush fires are not a new headache for SR 167. Local reporting notes that roadside fires have flared along the corridor in past summers, sometimes forcing temporary closures and multi-agency responses.
In one example, the Auburn Reporter documented a July 2023 hillside brush fire at an SR 167 interchange that drew several departments to contain hotspots and led to temporary ramp closures. The repeat incidents highlight how quickly dry roadside vegetation can threaten travel lanes and why agencies keep pushing for cleared rights-of-way and for drivers to report smoke as soon as they see it.
