KELSO — High winds are spreading fires in southwest Washington and western Oregon, according to a Portland, Ore., television station which reported dozens of brush fires.
Washington State fire assistance has been mobilized to help Cowlitz County firefighters battle the North Maple Fire near Kelso, which has prompted evacuation orders.
Winds quickly spread the fire, which was reported at 5 p.m. Wednesday, to 40 acres. It is burning in timber, brush, grass and slash, the state said in a press release.
The fire spread from an illegal burn pile, Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue was quoted as saying in a report by KATU-TV in Portland,Ore.
As of Thursday morning, the blaze had not been contained, the station said.
Level 3 evacuations — which mean that residents should leave immediately — were in effect for some 100 homes, the state said.
KATU-TV also reported that Marion, Clackamas, Linn, Wahkiakum and Cowlitz counties issued burn bans Wednesday.
Temperatures have been warmer than normal and winds have been high.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources for the North Maples Fire at 10 p.m. Wednesday at the request of Fire Chief David LaFave of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue.
One wildland strike team and one helicopter have been ordered to the fire, the state said. The fire will be managed by a local Type 3 Incident Management Team.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2 to coordinate state assistance for the North Maple Fire.
One fire near Stayton, Ore., prompted evacuations Tuesday night after it grew to 60 acres, KATU-TV reported.
People were allowed to return home Wednesday.
