Firefighters expect to continue to battle a stubborn peat bog fire on Ballinger Island throughout the weekend.
One firefighter went to the hospital today after suffering minor injuries on the island located on Lake Ballinger in Mountlake Terrace just north of the King-Snohomish county line.
Firefighters plan to continue using floating pumps throughout the weekend, but expect to have to figure out a further course of action on Monday.
"Our biggest concern continues to be the smoke and its impact on the community," said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1.
Fighting a fire in peat is challenging and frustrating for firefighters. "We've dumped thousands and thousands of gallons on that fire in the last two days from the helicopter air drops and using hoses on the ground, and the fire continues to burn," Hynes said.
Firefighters are working on smoldering, uneven and unstable peat soil. "You can be walking along on what appears to be stable ground and when you take your next step you sink up to your knee in hot, mucky peat and ash," Hynes said. "Imagine doing this while trying to carry and direct a charged hose line. That's what they're up against out there."
Much of the island is covered with a charred tangle of brush and twigs. "You have to lift the hose through those areas - you can't drag it because it will get caught up," Hynes said.
The way the fire burns underground in the peat is another challenge. "Firefighters will knock the fire down and move forward, then turn around and find the fire has popped up again behind them," Hynes said.
Firefighters are forced to suspend operations at dusk because it would unsafe to work on the island in the dark, she said. "You really have to watch your step even when it's light out. With hot spots in soil that can give way it is too dangerous to have firefighters working on the island at night."
The fire was sparked July 29 by an illegal barbecue at a makeshift camp site.

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