Single Publication

Kalama Firefighters have finished all suppression repair activities on Kalama Fire and are in the process of demobilizing. The fire is now 100% contained. Though Firefighting efforts have been completed, there is still active fire inside the fire perimeter and will remain that way over the next few months. Smoke will be visible in the area for a couple of months as the fire continues to smolder in heavy duff within containment lines. Heat below the surface of the forest floor is protected and insulated by the thick layer of duff above it, and tree canopies can prevent rain from reaching the forest floor. It will take months of wet weather to completely put the fire out.

A public safety closure is in place due to fire activity and hazardous trees. Hemlocks which are common in the area, have very shallow roots and many of these were burned. Trees that appear healthy and green, can fall without warning which necessitates this closure to stay in place.

The public safety closure area for the Kalama Fire has been reduced as of Friday October 28th, 2022. At this time, Forest Road 81 and Kalama Horse Camp have been reopened to the public. Additionally, Goat Marsh Trail 231D and Fossil Trail 242 have also been reopened. The trailhead in Kalama Horse Camp remains closed, along with portions of the Cinnamon Trail 204, Toutle Trail 238, Kalama Falls Trail 242A, and Forest Road 8122.

Review the closure map to gain a better understanding of the remaining closure area: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1069699.pdf

Closure Order: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1069698.pdf

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