Nakia Creek Fire expands to Level 3 ‘Go Now’ evacuations

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Nakia Creek Fire near Camas grew substantially Sunday and due to dangerous fire conditions, evacuation levels around the blaze increased to Level 3 “Go Now.”

• Areas previously reported as a Level 2 evacuation were changed to Level 3. This includes Larch Mountain and Jackson Pass.
• Areas that were Level 1 are now Level 2. Those areas include Livingston Mountain and the Larch Corrections Center.
• The Level 1 area now encompasses all of Washougal and Camas.

The blaze in east Clark County was burning in rugged terrain of brush and timber and had charred an estimated 2,000 acres by Sunday afternoon, Ryan Rodruck, a spokesman for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, said.

“The easterly winds were so strong today (Sunday) that air assets were grounded at times for safety.  New containment is listed at 5%,” authorities said Sunday night.

Sign up for emergency alerts and notifications from Clark County

An estimated 2900 homes are under Level 3 evacuation orders, said Eric Frank, the Emergency Management Coordinator for CRESSA. He added there are about 35,000 to 40,000 homes covered under all 3 evacuation levels as of 5 p.m. Sunday.

Evacuation Map for Nakia Creek Fire

“They think it’s pretty critical or they wouldn’t issue that (evacuation order),” said Clark County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Skidmore. “They take it pretty seriously when they get to that level. So, it’s, hey, grab what is important to you right now and make your way out of it.”

Clark County deputies made public address announcements to evacuate people around Lessard, Winters, Boulder Creek and Livingston Mountain roads. Search and rescue teams went door-to-door into the Level 3 zone. They contacted about 350 homes and will continues to do it for a while.

Skidmore told KOIN 6 News they “know not everyone has been evacuated. Some residents have elected to stay in the Level 3 zone.”

Shelter

The Red Cross set up an evacuation shelter at Camas Church, 2204 NE Birch Street. The shelter is equipped for overnight stays and is allowing pets. But the Red Cross wants people to bring their own kennel and pet supplies.

Those who need shelter for livestock should call 360.607.2535 for assistance. The Clark County Fairgrounds are already full.

Red Cross Regional Communications Director Dawn Johnson told KOIN 6 News this particular evacuation hits close to home.

“We’re on a Level 1 right now,” she said. “It’s something I never thought I’d be doing but to have that preparedness pack at home and just be ready, because you never know when you could be evacuated or be on standby to be evacuated.”

Evacuees with RVs should go to the ilani Casino and Resort parking lots 10 and 11. Put a “fire evacuee” sign in the window. (This is parking only. Gray water will need to be dumped at Gee Creek Rest Area)

The Port of Camas-Washougal opened their overflow parking lot for temporary parking/overnight camping.

School was canceled on Monday for the Washougal School District as well as the Mount Pleasant School.

Prisoners

The Larch Corrections Center is in the area of a Level 2 “Get Ready” evacuation. Deputy Corrections Director Rachel Ericson told KOIN 6 News Sunday afternoon the Washington State Department of Corrections activated its emergency operations center to help LCC as events develop. Ericson said the “facility is preparing to either shelter in place and evacuate.”

Late Sunday night, Ericson said inmates were safely evacuated to temporary housing at other Washington DOC facilities. Updates on inmate information and movements will be posted on their website.

The Larch Corrections Center is a minimum security facility housing about 480 inmates.

“The fire is burning in slash, steep previously harvest slopes as well as in young timber stands and small pockets of mature timber,” officials said on the InciWeb site. “Firefighters made good progress (Saturday) building line around the fire by utilizing a combination of direct dozer and hand line.”

Authorities added the fire behavior will likely be affected by wind-driven runs, may torch single trees and make some short range spotting.

“The potential for fire growth remains and containment lines are being put in place,” they said. A Red Flag warning expired at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Visit the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency website for a full map of evacuations and up-to-date information.

Nearby wildfires

There are 4 wildfires not far from the Nakia Creek Fire, all relatively small with 3 of them in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

A new fire about 10 miles north of the Nakia Creek Fire began Sunday about 2-3 miles east of Sunset Falls Campground, said Gala Miller, the spokesperson for the Forest Service/Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Crews are on the ground and assessing the situation, she said.

The other 3 fires — Goat Rocks, Kalama and Siouxon — have all seen growth throughout the weekend “due to the gusty, hot east winds,” Miller said. Evacuation levels were elevated for the Goat Rocks Fire on Sunday but not yet for the other fires.

The Goat Rocks Fire is 5531 acres and as of Sunday afternoon 2% contained.

Sunday night officials said another area was under a Level 1 notification.

“We have an additional area that are now under a “Level 1, Be Ready”  evacuation notice near Chelatchie Prairie.  This fire is called the Black Hole Incident and overlaps some of the the Big Hollow fire area from 2020,” CRESA officials said.

KOIN 6 News anchor Dan Tilkin contributed to this report