Single Publication

Kalama Fire Update – October 4, 2022
 Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southwest of Mount St. Helens near the town of Cougar, WA, is approximately 443 acres in size and currently five percent contained.  Containment lines have been completed.  With the inability to safely mop up the fire’s edge, due to steep terrain and overhead hazards, containment percentages will remain low.
Fire Behavior: Fire is slowly creeping to the southern dozer line where the completed line is holding it.  Overall fire behavior is low intensity creeping and backing.  Potential for large plume dominated fire growth is low.  
Weather:  A marine push last night brought slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity over the fire.  Today’s maximum temperature is predicted to be around 72 degrees with minimum humidity 44-46 percent.  An upper ridge will continue the trend for slightly warmer than normal temperatures this week while keeping winds mainly light and terrain driven.
Closures: A signed Closure Order remains in place.  View the Kalama Fire Update to see which roads and trails are closed, including:• Cinnamon Trail #204, Kalama Ski Trail #231, Toutle Trail #238, Fossil Trail #242, Kalama Falls Trail #242A• FS Road 81, from the junction with SR 503 spur to the junction with FS Road 8100-830 and all associated FS spur roads off FS Road 81• FS Road 8117 and all associated FS spur roads off FS Road 8117• FS Road 8122 and all associated FS spur roads off FS Road 8122
        Attention Climbers: *Access to Climbers Bivouac (and climbing route) is open. 
Evacuations:  The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources, has issued updated evacuation notifications for the Kalama Fire (which is not affecting the City of Kalama or residents along the Kalama River Road at this time).  View an Evacuation Map for more information on the following and sign up for Cowlitz County Emergency Alerts:
Level 2, Set Evacuation Level:• North to South: From the Headwaters of the South Fork of the Toutle River, south to Forest Road 7550.• East to West: From the Skamania County/Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County.Level 1, Ready Evacuation Level:• North to South: South from Forest Road 7550 to south of Merrill Lake.• East to West: Skamania County/Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County
Size: 443 acres with potential for growth. Containment: 5% Cause: Under investigation.Resources:  2 Initial Attack Handcrews, 2 Handcrews, 1 Type 3 Engine, 1 Type 5 Engine, 3 Type 6 Engines, 2 Type 1 Helicopters, 1 Dozer, 3 Water tenders, 1 Masticators, 1 Excavator, 1 Chipper, 1 Feller Buncher, 3 EMTs, 1 Ambulance, and 1 Falling TeamPersonnel: 127
Fire Information Phone Line: 360-449-7874Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8420   Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/fire