12-07-2025
Toonerville Fire still an active threat: More evacuation notices prompted in Mason County
Mason County fire officials are preparing surrounding neighborhoods of the Toonerville Fire to evacuate, as multiple residential streets have been reportedly affected by the rapidly spreading flames near Belfair since Tuesday evening.
The updated announcement follows an evacuation of approximately 50 threatened households Tuesday night, shortly after a brush fire broke out around 5 p.m. on NE Toonerville Drive, a side street off of Bear Creek-Dewatto Road.
According to the Mason County Sheriff's Office, NE Blacksmith Drive, NE Smithy Forge Lane, NE Pond Court, NE Forge Court, NE Lakeway Drive, NE Lakeway Drive South and NE Anvil Lane have been impacted and all occupants in the area should prepare to be evacuated at a moment's notice. An evacuation shelter has been set up by the American Red Cross at the Belfair Community Church on Highway 3 to aid all displaced parties.
Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Bremerton Fire Department and South Kitsap Fire & Rescue joined Mason County fire agencies Wednesday to help contain the fire, which officials announced grew overnight to 120 acres. None of the fire has been contained as of Thursday morning. In an update late Tuesday night, North Mason Regional Fire Authority said helicopters and air tankers helped slow the fire's progress and crews on the ground are working to establish containment lines and will remain at the scene over the next few days as needed.
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As of Wednesday morning, the Washington Department of Natural Resources reported that no structures have been damaged, and the fire's cause is unknown at this time. DNR said firefighters are continuing to form lines around the fire and nearby buildings, and will launch a drone in the air to gather data such as the fire's hot spots and to better map the perimeter, which is currently estimated between 70 to 100 acres.
The Mason County Fire Marshal also announced a burn ban prohibiting all outdoor burning including campfires and the use of charcoal briquettes effective immediately. The county's ban follows Kitsap County's recent statement of an outdoor burning ban, which also went into effect Wednesday.
This story is ongoing and has been updated as more information is released.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Toonerville Fire spreads near Belfair, prompts more evacuation notices
