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Fire north of Kalama slows interstate traffic, blocks nearby roads

Cowlitz sheriff: No homes burned, no evacuations

By Andy Matarrese, Columbian environment and transportation reporter
Published: July 16, 2018, 4:56pm
3 Photos
A helicopter attacks a wildfire burning in wood and brush north of Kalama, near Interstate 5, Monday afternoon. One lane of the highway, as well as Exit 32 and part of the Old Pacific Highway, were blocked.
A helicopter attacks a wildfire burning in wood and brush north of Kalama, near Interstate 5, Monday afternoon. One lane of the highway, as well as Exit 32 and part of the Old Pacific Highway, were blocked. (Washington State Patrol) Photo Gallery

A wildfire north of Kalama near Interstate 5 blocked Exit 32, one lane of the highway northbound and an adjacent road Monday afternoon.

The fire was first reported around 3 p.m., just north of Kalama River Road, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office said the fire traveled up a hill to the east, near Bluff Road. No homes burned, and no evacuation orders were issued.

Part of Old Highway 99, or Old Pacific Highway, near Interstate 5 was closed while helicopters dumped water on the fire, the sheriff’s office said. All lanes on Interstate 5 were back open by about 9:30 p.m.

Washington State Patrol spokesman Trooper Will Finn said on Twitter helicopters were drawing water from a nearby lake to attack the fire.

The state Department of Natural Resources said that evening the fire was about 4 acres, and three of its engines and two of its helicopters were on scene.

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Columbian environment and transportation reporter