Firefighters work to contain wildfire off Washougal River Road

Firefighting crews with East County Fire and Rescue and the Department of Natural Resources are working to contain a 10.5-acre wildfire off Washougal River Road today. 

A Level 1 “Be Ready” warning has gone out to residents in about 60 homes between Paradise Road and Northeast Rosemary Drive. 

According to ECFR, “residents within that area (are being asked) to prepare to evacuate … and gather any items necessary for an evacuation.”
There is no evacuation order in place at this time, but ECFR officials have said high winds could cause fire conditions to change rapidly.

Taylor Mizar, the public information officer for DNR’s Pacific Cascades region, said the fire, which started Monday night, was 25 percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon.  

Mizar said there are two, 10-person fire crews working on containing the fire. 

“We would like to use air resources on this fire, but, because of wind conditions, are unable to at this time. If the winds die down at some point, we may use air resources. That will be determined by the fire managers,” Mizar said. 

Mizar said residents of a home closest to the fire did choose to evacuate voluntarily. 

A spokesperson for ECFR said Fire Chief Michael Carnes was on the scene with ECFR firefighters in a water tender, assisting DNR crews.

Mizar said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

For more information about the Level 1 “Be Ready” notice, visit facebook.com/CRESA.911/.