Firefighters have improved the lines holding a wildfire in western Skamania County, but the road near the fire is still closed, according to a state Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman.
The Gold Rush Fire, which was reported on Monday, is burning in steep terrain on DNR-managed land along Forest Road 2000, several miles past Dougan Falls.
DNR spokeswoman Nancy Marvin said Thursday afternoon that the fire is 30 percent contained, a 10 percent improvement over the day before.
The fire is less than a tenth of a square mile in area, or 60 acres. It’s burning about 12 miles northeast of Washougal and isn’t threatening any structures.
“I know they’re really pushing hard,” Marvin said. “The weather was really favorable yesterday afternoon and this morning.”
Firefighters Wednesday and Thursday have been able to bring water deeper into the fire, she said, bolstering their efforts.
A stretch of Forest Road 2000, starting near Dougan Falls, remains closed.
Marvin couldn’t provide an estimate for when the road would reopen.
Investigators determined the fire was human-caused, and fire managers have encouraged anyone who was in the area over the weekend and who might have useful information to contact authorities. The DNR’s regional dispatch can be reached at 360-575-5787.
Marvin said DNR staff have set up shop to answer questions at the Washougal River Mercantile store in Washougal.
