Blaze on the hillside off the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail forced the evacuation of 12 homes
Firefighters from the Vancouver Fire Department spend Monday afternoon battling a brush fire that forced the temporary evacuation of 12 homes.
On Monday (June 5) at about 2:15 p.m. the Vancouver Fire Department responded to a reported grass/brush fire on a hillside off the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail between NE Andresen Road and NE 86th Avenue. Several witnesses calling 9-1-1 reported seeing flames approximately 10-feet tall burning uphill through thick vegetation, being driven by strong winds.
Utilizing a coordinated attack, fire units were deployed from the Burnt Bridge Creek trailhead off NE Andresen Road and began attacking the fire from below. Additional units responded to the uphill side of the fire, to the 8000 block of NE 16th Street to protect homes and begin attacking the fire from above.
Firefighting efforts proved difficult due to thick vegetation, steep terrain, and increased fire volatility driven by 20 mph winds. Crews also had to carefully work around several high-voltage overhead lines located directly above the fire.
It took 17 fire units with approximately 35 firefighters to bring the two-acre fire under control. Firefighting crews with the Washington Department of Natural Resources responded to the scene to assist and a firefighting helicopter was placed on standby but never utilized.
As a precaution, a total of 12 homes were evacuated to ensure the safety of residents. The evacuation lasted approximately three hours. No injuries were reported.
The fire is under investigation by the Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Vancouver Fire department was assisted by Washington Department of Natural Resources, Clark Public Utilities, Bonneville Power Administration and Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency.
Information provided by Vancouver Fire Department.
Also read:
- Opinion: A year in review of news stories from a former sports guy
Clark County Today reporter Paul Valencia reflects on his evolving role, revisiting major news, community debates, sports moments, and human-interest stories that shaped Clark County in 2025. - Names released of person killed and Vancouver officers involved in deadly force incident
State investigators have released the names of the Vancouver police officers involved in a deadly force incident, and the Clark County Medical Examiner has identified the man who was killed as 44-year-old Perry J. Sellars of Vancouver. - These new laws and taxes take effect in Washington state on Jan. 1
Several new laws and tax increases passed in 2025 take effect Jan. 1 in Washington, impacting unemployment benefits, business taxes, transportation fees, consumer costs and regulatory requirements. - Opinion: Ready for another pay decrease from the state? It happens Jan. 1
Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues that Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll tax increase will further reduce workers’ take-home pay beginning Jan. 1. - Vancouver rolls out new all-access community center membership
The city of Vancouver is launching a new all-access membership in January that allows residents to use both Firstenburg and Marshall community centers. - Four Western WA counties granted $6.6M in federal funds for road safety programs
Four Western Washington counties will receive $6.6 million in federal funding for road safety projects, including an EMS pilot program in Clark County. - Opinion: Justice for none – Court hands down a mandate without a dime to fund it
Nancy Churchill argues that a Washington Supreme Court ruling on public defense imposes costly mandates on local governments without providing funding to implement them.
