Fire north of Kalama slows interstate traffic, blocks nearby roads

A wildfire north of Kalama near Interstate 5 blocked Exit 32, one lane of the highway northbound and an adjacent road Monday afternoon.

The fire was first reported around 3 p.m., just north of Kalama River Road, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office said the fire traveled up a hill to the east, near Bluff Road. No homes burned, and no evacuation orders were issued.

Part of Old Highway 99, or Old Pacific Highway, near Interstate 5 was closed while helicopters dumped water on the fire, the sheriff’s office said. All lanes on Interstate 5 were back open by about 9:30 p.m.

Washington State Patrol spokesman Trooper Will Finn said on Twitter helicopters were drawing water from a nearby lake to attack the fire.

The state Department of Natural Resources said that evening the fire was about 4 acres, and three of its engines and two of its helicopters were on scene.