Crews took advantage of Tuesday’s cooler weather and worked to battle a wildfire near Woodland before temperatures rise again this weekend. By evening, the 129-acre Colvin Creek Fire was considered 40 percent contained, said state Department of Natural Resources spokesman Chuck Turley.
“We’re working to put a fire line around the fire and try to get it buttoned up before the hot weather returns,” said Tim Dawdy, spokesman for Clark County Fire & Rescue.
Turley said crews are confident the fire lines improved on Tuesday will keep the fire at bay. The Washington Incident Management Team No. 5 took over fire management Monday evening and anticipates having the fire nearly contained by Friday, Turley said.
Crews from local and state fire agencies have worked to put out the blaze since it began Sunday, Dawdy said. But as the fire grew, more crews were added.
Nearly 250 people were working on the fire Tuesday, including firefighting crews from Utah, New Mexico and the Larch Corrections Center. Helicopters out of the Kelso airport are assisting with fire suppression, Dawdy said.
“We had an excellent initial attack, but (local crews) are exhausted. They did everything they could and they did a really good job of saving life and property,” Dawdy said. “Now it’s time for crews from outside to take over the long campaign.”
Steep terrain challenging
The fire broke out just before noon Sunday on state land that had been logged in the Colvin Creek drainage, north of Fredrickson Road.
Flames were spreading quickly with the help of winds. The fire burned about 1 mile from the nearest home.
By Tuesday night, the fire had grown to an estimated 129 acres.
The terrain is steep, Dawdy said, so crews are being careful about working in the area. They’ve relied heavily on helicopters to drop water on hot spots.
Even though temperatures were lower Tuesday, the forest remained extremely dry and susceptible to rapid fire growth.
The roads in the area are narrow and hazardous, Dawdy said, so people are asked to stay out of the area to let firefighters work safely.
Officials also ask that residents comply with various state and local burn bans in effect.
The Longview Daily News contributed to this story.
