Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue And WA DNR Respond To An Out-of-control Brush Fire In West Longview -04/24/25

On April 23, 2025 at 1650hrs, a caller reported an “out of control brush fire,” at the end of Clark Creek Road, Longview, WA. Cowlitz 911 dispatched a Battalion Chief, 3- Brush engines and a water tender from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue (C2FR) to the incident.

During the response Firefighters spotted a large column of smoke from the area, indicating a large-scale incident. At that time 2 more Cowlitz 2 Tenders were added to the response, as well as a request for WA DNR and the availability of a DNR Helicopter.

First arriving unit was a Brush Engine from C2FR Station 22 and sized up the fire as: 2-acre, moderately moving, in brush and mixed fuels. 2-4’ foot flame lengths

Battalion Chief assumed command while brush engines began containing and suppressing the fire with hoselines and fire trailing. A short while after C2FR arrival, 2- WA DNR Overhead along with 2- DNR Brush engines  arrived and worked seamlessly, at all levels to continue containment efforts.

At 1823hrs fire was declared “Contained” at 3.4 acres

This incident was witnessed to have begun next to their residence and spread rapidly before any attempt to extinguish by residents could be attempted. The residence didn’t not occur any damage but all vegetation that wasn’t fully green was consumed up to and including less than 5 feet from 2 sides of the residence.

C2FR resources turned over fire fully to WA DNR at 1952hrs.

WA DNR will be investigating the incident and will be monitoring the fire perimeter over the next few days

Field weather was obtained at the start of containment efforts and revealed that humidities were 30% with upslope winds. These conditions are historically known to be indicators for potential “high fire growth potential” in Western WA

Battalion Chief Dan W Cothren

Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue