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Friday,  July 26 , 2024

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Photo of Lauren Ellenbecker

Stories by Lauren Ellenbecker

Columbian staff writer

A charred stump sits atop the hillside on Mike Mullett's property above the site of the Tunnel Five Fire in Underwood. When designing his home, Mullett incorporated fire safety principles into its fabric, something he is convinced spared it from burning.

Fighting fire with Firewise: Columbia River Gorge towns push for more wildfire safety practices

A charred stump sits atop the hillside on Mike Mullett's property above the site of the Tunnel Five Fire in Underwood. When designing his home, Mullett incorporated fire safety principles into its fabric, something he is convinced spared it from burning.

September 2, 2023, 6:14am Clark County News

For Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area residents, each hot and dry season their community isn’t touched by fire seems lucky. Read story

Wildfire mitigation begins at home; how to get prepared

September 2, 2023, 6:13am Clark County News

Wildfire mitigation doesn’t begin when suppression crews battle flames racing through a community. Read story

Battalion Chief Jason Leavitt, left, and Division Chief Ben Peeler take a moment to check in at the Jenny Creek Fire near La Center on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023.

Jenny Creek Fire near La Center a lesson for Clark County; fast moving blazes a danger

Battalion Chief Jason Leavitt, left, and Division Chief Ben Peeler take a moment to check in at the Jenny Creek Fire near La Center on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023.

September 2, 2023, 6:13am Clark County News

Columbia River Gorge communities aren’t the only ones coming to terms with increasing fire danger in the wildland-urban interface. Read story

On Wednesday, the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the Cowlitz Complex wildfire.

Cowlitz Complex fire burns 589 acres; rain just not enough to help

On Wednesday, the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the Cowlitz Complex wildfire.

September 1, 2023, 2:31pm Clark County News

Wet conditions settled over the region and provided relief for personnel addressing the Cowlitz Complex Fire, but it wasn’t enough to extinguish any of its dozens of burns. Read story

Funding to aid East Fork Lewis River restoration

September 1, 2023, 5:06am Clark County News

The Washington Department of Ecology awarded the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership $5.4 million to further floodplain restoration along the lower East Fork Lewis River. Read story

Wildfire smoke pushes Clark County air quality into unhealthy range despite welcome rain

August 31, 2023, 3:14pm Clark County Health

Smelly, stuffy signs from a wildfire in Oregon’s Mount Hood National Forest crept into Clark County early Thursday. Read story

Toxic algae advisory lifted at Vancouver Lake as conditions improve

August 30, 2023, 4:37pm Clark County Health

Clark County Public Health lifted its toxic algae bloom advisory at Vancouver Lake following improved toxin levels. Read story

A majority of the 40 fires burning within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest have been tagged as the "Cowlitz Complex." Responders are prioritizing four blazes due to the large number of fires coupled with crews' limited resources.

Fires in Gifford Pinchot now known as Cowlitz Complex burn hundreds of acres

A majority of the 40 fires burning within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest have been tagged as the "Cowlitz Complex." Responders are prioritizing four blazes due to the large number of fires coupled with crews' limited resources.

August 30, 2023, 3:23pm Clark County News

Fire officials are now calling the dozens of fires burning in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest the “Cowlitz Complex,” named after the ranger district in the northernmost portion of the forest. Read story

An aerial view of multiple fires burning in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Fire near Snagtooth Mountain is leading to road and trail closures in the center of the forest. (Photo contributed by the U.S.

Gifford Pinchot’s Snagtooth Fire grows

An aerial view of multiple fires burning in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Fire near Snagtooth Mountain is leading to road and trail closures in the center of the forest. (Photo contributed by the U.S.

August 29, 2023, 7:55pm Clark County News

The U.S. Forest Service reported Monday evening that the Snagtooth Fire, one of about 40 fires burning in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, had grown from 200 to 700 acres. Read story

The Department of Ecology awarded Clark County nearly $460,000 to continue its clean water projects.

Ecology awards Clark County grant to pursue water pollution source control efforts

The Department of Ecology awarded Clark County nearly $460,000 to continue its clean water projects.

August 29, 2023, 6:08am Clark County News

Clark County officials are working to prevent pollution in a small way, beginning with businesses’ waste management. Read story