Initial firefighting operations focused on protection to the immediately threatened structure, containment of the vegetation fire and extinguishment of downwind spot fires

CAMAS – Just after 4:37 a.m. on Sunday (Jan. 26), East County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) was dispatched to a residential fire on L-1000 Road. During response, the address was corrected to 30317 NE Livingston Mountain Circle. Initial response to this incident involved five fire engines, four water tenders, and three command officers from East County Fire and Rescue, Camas Washougal Fire Department, Vancouver Fire Department, and Clark County Fire District 3.

Approaching the incident location, the first-arriving engine encountered a large, two-story, 12,000-square-foot, single-family home that was under construction well involved in fire with extension to vegetation surrounding the home and multiple spot fires up to 1500 feet down wind of the involved structure. Wind was out of the east at approximately 10 miles per hour and had a significant influence on fire spread beyond the structure involved in fire. One nearby house was immediately threatened by the vegetation fire and multiple other homes were at risk due to the large amount of embers being carried downwind and resulting in spot fires.

Due to the number of structures threatened and potential for a significant wildland interface fire, the incident commander requested two additional engines, two brush engines, and an additional chief officer along with response from the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Initial firefighting operations focused on protection to the immediately threatened structure, containment of the vegetation fire and extinguishment of downwind spot fires. Water supply was a challenge with water tenders shuttling water from the closest fire hydrant which was 6.3 miles away. Several engines were assigned to protect structures downwind and patrolled the area throughout the fire. 

Occupants of nearby houses were advised to be prepared to evacuate, but the fire was controlled within approximately 30 minutes and no evacuation was necessary. There were no civilian or fire service injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office.

East County Fire and Rescue

East County Fire and Rescue provides fire and life safety services to roughly 10,500 people over 60 square miles in southeast Clark County north and east of the Cities of Camas and Washougal. We are a combination full-time and volunteer-staffed fire district responding to an average of 1,100 calls a year on both sides of the Washougal River.

More information about East County Fire and Rescue can be found at www.ecfr.us. Chief Steven Black and Interim Deputy Chief Ed Hartin also welcomes your questions at sblack@ecfr.us or ehartin@ecfr.us or (360) 834-4908.

Information provided by East County Fire and Rescue.