Fire engulfs Skamania County camp, spreads

Shortly before Thursday’s storm, about 40 firefighters rushed to a blaze at the Three Tree Point Camp along the Columbia River in the Prindle area of western Skamania County.

The fire, first reported by a housekeeper about 4:40 p.m., engulfed a rustic bunkhouse and lodge, burning them to the ground.

The private camp, owned by a group of families, has been there many years, said Rick Knapp, a volunteer with East County Fire & Rescue.

As firefighters from several departments rushed to the area south of state Highway 14, a propane tank exploded and sent flaming shrapnel into thick brush.

As a result, “The firefighters were chasing brush fires up and down steep embankments almost a quarter-mile from the original fire,” Knapp said.

Knapp said firefighters from Skamania County arrived first and saved a third building, a cabin about 15 feet from the flames.

With no major source of water there, about six water tenders filled their tanks in other areas and delivered water to the fire scene, then repeated the process.

At 8:45 p.m., tired firefighters were still dousing hot spots.

Several fire and other emergency departments from Skamania County worked at the scene, and crews from the state Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service were called, Knapp said.

No one was reported injured and the cause was under investigation.

John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.