Skamania County Fire District 6

07/05/2026

Please keep an eye out in the Swift Community for this bike. Thank you.

THE BIKE HAS BEEN FOUND! Thanks to the Northwoods community for your help in locating it! It takes a village, and we have an awesome one!!

Please HELP! - Lee our Caretaker rode Kim’s electric bike up to the water system at 6:30 am today, July 5th. The chain came off and he left it on the hill at the entrance to Northwoods and walked the rest of the way- on the way back the bike was gone. If anyone sees it please let Kim or Lee know at cabin 96.

07/02/2026

Here is the link to latest fire ban update and map for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/giffordpinchot/alerts/fire-restrictions

GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST
Forest Order # 06-03-00-26-02
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This Order is effective from 07/01/2026 12:01 am, through 10/31/2026, unless rescinded.

PROHIBITION AREA DESCRIPTION:
These prohibitions apply to all lands throughout the entirety of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The Closure Area is shown on the attached map, Exhibit A
PROHIBITIONS enacted by this order:
• Campfires: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, cook stove; including solid fuel, charcoal briquette, gas/jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel or propane fire is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
Exemptions:
o When the cook stove, lantern or campfire is fueled solely by gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel or propane with an on/off switch and flammable vegetation is cleared a minimum of 3-feet away from open flame on all sides.
• Smoking: Prohibited 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
Exemptions:
o Within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, in a water way or while stopped in an area at least 3-feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
• Internal Combustion Engines: Operating an internal combustion engine, including chainsaw use is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(g).
Exemptions:
o Generators must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor and used in an area that is cleared at least 10-feet in diameter of all flammable material.
• Welding: Operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h).
• Explosives: Using explosives is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b).
• Use of vehicles off National Forest System roads: Prohibited off National Forest System trails and roads designated on the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). 36 C.F.R. § 261.56.
Exemptions:
o Parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10-feet of the roadway or minimum travel over bare mineral soil to access dispersed camping.

GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST
Forest Order # 06-03-00-26-02

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
•Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or comission.
•Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581. Executed at Vancouver, WA this 26 day of June, 2026. _____________________________ Johanna Kovarik Forest Supervisor Gifford Pinchot National Forest

There are no current Fire Restrictions.

06/24/2026

Swift Community,

In the early evening of June 22nd, our closest neighboring fire department, Cowlitz-Skamania Fire District 7, was dispatched to a head-on collision on Lewis River Road in Aerial, Wa.

What they didn’t know until arrival onscene is that they would be extricating, treating and LifeFlighting one of their own young First Responders. This young man’s older brother is also a member of their department and assisted on this call.

We are told the young man has made it out of surgery, is stable, and recovering in the ICU.

Please keep this First Responder, his family, CSFD #7, and all involved in your thoughts and prayers.

06/24/2026

Great information to review and have on hand as we move into fire season.

Be Prepared For Fire Season

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office would like to share some useful resources for fire preparedness. With fire season kicking off we want to help the public be prepared in the event of a fire emergency. For your convenience, Skamania County Department of Emergency Management has provided helpful QR codes.

The first QR will direct you to our sign up for emergency alerts. There you can provide your phone number and address for use in emergency notifications. These alerts will be sent to your provided phone number in the event of an emergency.

The second QR code directs you to an interactive map for evacuation route planning.

The third QR code will direct you to Skamania County Department of Emergency Management for additional preparedness tips and information.

06/15/2026

Burn ban update for Skamania County.

06/09/2026

UPDATE: Ginger has been found and is safe at home!

One of our Fire Commissioner’s dog is missing and was last seen about the midpoint of the 9039 Rd. She is a yellow Lab and her name is Ginger. Last known coordinates: 46.09194 -121,98600
If you see her, please message us here for contact info. Thank you!

05/15/2026

During the last SCFD6 Fire Commissioner's Meeting, our Commissioner's passed Resolution 2026-2 which changes the date & time of their monthly open public meeting. Moving forward, the meetings will be held the 3rd Saturday of each month at 10 am at SCFD6 Fire Station.

Send a message to learn more

05/02/2026

Update on Cell Tower Status: SCFD6 personnel have verified that the Mitchel Peak tower is currently out of propane. Communication with the propane provider indicates a delivery is scheduled for tomorrow, and the tower is expected to be operational soon!

04/30/2026

Great things are happening for our Fire District!

Press Release

Skamania County, WA —
In a major step forward for rural resilience and clean energy innovation, Skamania County Fire Protection District No. 6, an off-grid, all-volunteer fire district, has been awarded a Washington State Department of Commerce Energy Division Clean Energy Grant to fund a, not to exceed, $376,000.00 microgrid.

This transformative investment marks a turning point for the District, which currently relies entirely on fossil fuel-powered generators. The new solar and battery microgrid will deliver continuous, renewable power, dramatically enhancing the District’s ability to protect lives, support first responders, and serve nearby residents, especially during emergencies.

Once operational, the microgrid will strengthen regional disaster response capabilities, ensure reliable communication, and provide a resilient energy backbone when it is needed most. Integrated with existing generators, the system will allow the fire station to function as a fully equipped command and coordination hub, supporting field crews, helicopter operations, and mutual aid responders during critical incidents.

In addition, the microgrid will maintain a consistent Starlink internet connection, creating a vital lifeline for the community. Residents and responders alike will have a dependable location to access emergency updates, contact loved ones, and coordinate essential aid during disasters and power outages.

The Grant for the Skamania County Fire Protection District No. 6 Off-Grid Microgrid is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

Send a message to learn more

04/29/2026

Thanks to the assistance of Skamania EMS & Rescue and AT&T FirstNet, Skamania County Fire District #6 has established a temporary communications tower in the Swift Community area to support emergency service personnel with improved cell phone connectivity during incidents.

At this time, the district is actively evaluating whether all cellular carriers can access 911 services through this temporary signal, or if access is limited to FirstNet providers.

We will continue to keep the Swift Community residents and visitors informed as more information becomes available. In the meantime, emergency assistance can still be requested using the traditional emergency call alarm button located at the Fire Station.

Send a message to learn more