Vegetation fires keep Vancouver crews busy

Hot, dry weather led to two notable vegetation fires Saturday in Vancouver.

The first call came at 3:37 a.m. to 10000 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver. Vancouver Fire Department Capt. Jeff Gaines said the property had a large amount of garbage, some of which burned up in the fire.

The fire was limited to a 75-by-100-foot area, according to Gaines, and went up high enough to burn parts of a few trees. The fire also burned a tarp and singed the back of a garage.

The firefighters put it out using some water from a tank and a water tender, and were at the property until about 6 a.m.

The department was called to a grass fire in the backyard at 1911 W. 27th St., Vancouver, later in the afternoon. There was no structure damage, but a few bushes were burned.

The property is adjacent to a gas station, but Gaines said firefighters weren’t worried about the fire reaching the pumps because the gas station building is between the fire and pumps.

“It’s hot and it’s been busy,” Gaines said. “We’ve gotten a lot of calls, which is what happens when it’s hot out.”