A dead tree fell onto power lines on Oddfellows Road near the intersection with Blakely Avenue on Bainbridge Island and started a fire Sept. 9 at about 2:15 p.m.

When the lichen-covered branches came into contact with power lines, it quickly ignited, “dropping flaming clumps” down onto the dry brush below, said Tom Olis, a witness to the fire.

Several people arrived on scene, but were unable to extinguish the flames. Before firefighters arrived, the fire grew and began to ignite small trees and a very large dead madrona tree that was next to a giant cedar.

BI police secured the area, and firefighters extinguished the blaze within 10 minutes.

Olis said responders were concerned about a large, dead fir tree leaning onto the lines that was conducting electricity down into the water-soaked ground, which a technician from Puget Sound Energy cut down.

A fire broke out on Oddfellows Road Sept. 9 when a dry tree fell onto power lines. Tom Olis Courtesy Photo