A recent fire is a good reminder of the importance of burn bans when the weather gets dry.

At 8:50 a.m. on Sunday, Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue responded to a reported brush fire alongside Smuggler’s Cove Road involving powerlines, Chief Jerry Helm said. An engine, a water tender, a brush engine and a South Whidbey Fire/EMS water tender were dispatched, along with eight responders.

Upon arrival, responders discovered a tree had partially fallen into the powerlines and ignited another one nearby, Helm said. About two minutes later, the tree entangled in the powerlines completely collapsed, likely due to age and weakness.

Personnel remained on scene for about an hour to fight the fire, which was contained to the tree and about a 30-to-40-foot radius around its base. Helm said af

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