The Kalama fire on the south side of Mount St. Helens has grown to approximately 435 acres in size and is about 5% contained.
The fire is located southeast of the Kalama Horse Camp.
An update on the fire released on Friday, Sept. 30 said the acreage increased slightly with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire.
“Cooler weather and rain over the fire area these past few days has assisted in the firefighting efforts,” stated a news release.
The fire was located on a cliff and is burning on “extremely steep ground,” stated the update.
Trail and road closures remain in place. They can be viewed online at fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC UMENTS/fseprd1059380.pdf.
Level two, “be set,” evacuation notices remained from north to south from the headwaters of the South Fork of the Toutle River, south to Forest Road 7550 and from east to west from the Skamania County and Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County.
Level two, “be ready,” evacuation notices remained from north to south from Forest Road 7550 to south of Merrill Lake and east to west from the Skamania County and Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. For more information on the Kalama fire, go online to inciweb.nwcg.gov/inci dent/8420.
