S.E. Thurston Fire Authority

09/04/2026

🐱 AN UNEXPECTED PASSENGER

Sometimes the patient is a little harder to reach than expected…

S.E. Thurston Fire crews helped rescue a kitten that had found its way underneath the dashboard of a vehicle and couldn’t get back out.

After some careful disassembly, a little patience, and a bit of firefighter ingenuity, crews were able to safely free the kitten and reunite it with its owner.

We’re happy to report this rescue ended with one very small patient safely out of a very complicated hiding spot.

09/03/2026

🍪 A SWEET SURPRISE AT THE FIRE STATION 🚒

We had a special visitor stop by the station today when Lily surprised our crews with cookies. Her only request in exchange? A tour of the fire station.

Of course, we were happy to make that trade.

Lily got to check out the fire engine, climb into the driver’s seat, and explore the ambulance.

Judging by the smiles, we think the visit was a success.

Thanks for stopping by and making our day, Lily and thanks for the cookies!

09/01/2026

🔥 PRESCRIBED BURN TODAY

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Public Works Environmental Division is planning a prescribed burn today, September 1, 2026, from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Approximately 0.5 miles northeast of the intersection of Rainier Road and Military Road.

Residents in the surrounding area may see or smell smoke during the burn.

To report ground level nuisance smoke, please call 253-912-2049.

09/01/2026

📢 SEPTEMBER BOARD MEETING DATE CHANGE

The SE Thurston Fire Authority Board of Commissioners September Monthly Board Meeting has been moved to:

Tuesday, September 8, 2026
5:00 PM
SE Thurston Fire Authority – Station 21
709 Mill Road SE, Yelm

The meeting will be held in person with a Zoom participation option available.

Join via Zoom:
• Dial-in: +1-253-215-8782
• Meeting ID: 440 502 2556
• Passcode: 2222

08/28/2026

🚨 MVA WITH ENTRAPMENT | VAIL LOOP ROAD

At approximately 10:27 p.m., S.E. Thurston Fire crews were dispatched to the 15900 block of Vail Loop Road SE for a reported motor vehicle collision with possible entrapment.

Crews arrived on scene and located a vehicle approximately 40 feet down a steep embankment with one patient trapped inside.

Due to the terrain and difficult access, the Thurston County Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT) was requested to assist. S.E. Thurston Fire crews were able to access the vehicle, extricate the patient, and bring the patient back up the embankment.

One patient was transported from the scene for further evaluation.

08/11/2026

For anyone who may see or smell smoke in the Rainier area today, Joint Base Lewis-McChord has announced a planned prescribed burn nearby.

The burn is scheduled for today, August 11, from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Training Area 23, south of the Rainier Road and Spurgeon Creek Road intersection.

Smoke may be visible from portions of our response area throughout the day. Please see JBLM’s original post below for additional information and updates.

🔥 PRESCRIBED BURN 🔥

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Public Works Environmental Division is planning a prescribed burn at the time and place below. See attached map for a more detailed location. Information is subject to change day-of due to training and environmental factors.

This burn is being conducted as a wildfire risk mitigation measure.

Date: August 11, 2026

Anticipated timeframe: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: TA 23

Less than 0.5 miles south of the intersection of Rainier Rd and Spurgeon Creek Rd.

See attached map for a more detailed location. Information is subject to change day-of due to training and environmental factors.

To report ground level nuisance smoke, please call 253-912-2049.

08/10/2026

With the bond approved, our work is just beginning. Chief King shares his thanks to the community and a look at what comes next as we begin planning for station renovations and apparatus replacement.

We’re grateful for the trust our community has placed in us, and we’re committed to keeping residents informed as this work moves forward.

08/09/2026

BRUSH 24 MOBILIZED TO LITTLE GIANT FIRE

Brush 24 is being mobilized to the Little Giant Fire in Chelan County, joining resources from across the region working the nearly 100,000 acre wildfire.

Brush 24 and its crew will be deploying as part of the ongoing statewide wildfire response. Safe travels to our crew and all of the firefighters working the Little Giant Fire.

08/08/2026

Update: 6:06 PM

Crews arrived and found an active burn pile. There is no active brush fire in the area.

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🔥 BRUSH FIRE RESPONSE IN RAINIER

S.E. Thurston Fire Authority crews are responding to a reported brush fire near Country Estates Drive W in Rainier.

Please avoid the area and use caution as emergency apparatus and personnel operate nearby.

08/07/2026

UPDATE: 11:57

☎️ PHONE LINES RESTORED

Our main phone line, 360-458-2799, is back up and operating normally.

Thank you for your patience while we worked to get service restored.

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☎️ PHONE LINE OUTAGE

Our main phone line, 360-458-2799, is currently down. We are working to restore service as quickly as possible.

🚨 If you have an emergency, call 911.

For nonemergency dispatch, please call 360-704-2740.

For general questions or department business, you can reach us by email at [email protected].

We’ll provide an update once our main phone line is back in service.