Looking through Gilkey Square at 3:20 p.m. Saturday, it seemed a boat was on fire. Tourists and locals gathering at the boardwalk railing saw a brush – more properly, a grass – fire just west of the west side Swinomish Channel shoreline.

Fire District 13 duty officers submitted this summary:

“Battalion 13 and Brush 1314 (were) dispatched to a 30 foot by 30 foot brush fire on Front Street. Batt 13 arrived on scene to find Swinomish PD and civilians trying to contain the fire. B13 gave short report and made Front Street command.

“By the time the report was given the wind had shifted...