Firefighters continue to increase containment of the Archer Mountain Fire, currently burning 259 acres of forest in Skamania County.
The blaze is now 40 percent contained, incident commander James Shank of the Washington Department of Natural Resources reported Monday.
Some residents in the area remain on evacuation notice. Mabee Mines Road and tributary streets are on Level 1 (be alert) evacuation notice. Smith Cripe Road, Franz Road and Archer Mountain Road are on Level 2 (be ready) evacuation notice.
The blaze is burning U.S. Forest Service and state Department of Natural Resources lands about 10 miles northwest of North Bonneville, north of state Highway 14.
The fire started Sept. 5 as a spot fire when embers from the Eagle Creek Fire in Oregon jumped the river and ignited the blaze.
The Eagle Creek Fire, which started Sept. 2, is currently burning 33,382 acres of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The blaze is 7 percent contained.
Heavy smoke on Sunday obscured a large part of the south perimeter of the fire, preventing use of aerial resources. Light winds were expected to push the fire back onto itself.
Because structures are at less of a risk of being damaged by the fire, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has reduced the number of crews assigned to the fire.
Interstate 84 in Oregon between Troutdale and Hood River remains closed. The U.S. Coast Guard reopened the Columbia River to all traffic Sunday night.
At the East Crater Fire southwest of Mount Adams, a fire crew and heavy equipment will continue prepping roads along the east side of the Indian Heaven Wilderness for use as the fire line to minimize fire spread outside the wilderness. The fire has been burning since Sept. 3, and fire size remains at an estimated 467 acres.
The Bear Creek Fire near Carson was declared contained Monday at 36 acres. The Siouxon Fire has also been declared contained at 2 acres.
