Hard-to-reach fire leaves Woodland house a total loss

Fire destroyed a hard-to-reach home Monday afternoon off Interstate 5 near Woodland.

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue crews were dispatched at 1:53 p.m. to the 37000 block of Northwest Pacific Highway for a report of a residential fire. A commuter called 911 to report smoke coming from east of the highway.

The residence is known to fire officials because of its location: It sits at the end of a steep, muddy driveway on the eastern banks of the Lewis River.

“We knew it was going to be a tough day if there was a fire there,” Fire Chief John Nohr said.

The first arriving engine spotted smoke coming from the eaves of the home, but the poor access prevented traditional fire engines from reaching the building using the driveway. Two brush units were sent into the property, Nohr said.

There was still an issue of water. A fire response boat was launched in Ridgefield, which was then used to pump water from Lewis River to attack the blaze, according to the fire chief.

As of about 5 p.m., the fire had not been officially declared extinguished, but the home was already considered a total loss.

The homeowner arrived at the scene and told officials he’d been trying to evict renters from the property, but there was no evidence, such as a car or other signs of habitation, indicating anyone was inside, Nohr said.

Firefighters plan to enter the residence and conduct a search once it’s deemed safe.

The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.