Wahkiakum County Fire Dist. 3

09/04/2026

08/28/2026

Tonight, your Wahkiakum County Volunteer Fire Departments have dedicated this weekly training drill to a debrief of the Columbia Apartments fire from earlier this week.

We look to review the good, bad, and ugly of the event with the goal to always improve. Together crews talk about their actions while listening to the radio traffic of the event and go in depth on the strategies and tactics used.

A big thank you to all the businesses and community members that have supported not only those affected by this destruction, but our crews as well. Tonight firefighters were treated to delicious chili and cornbread from The Spar. Thank you, Dusti!

As always, we are proud to serve this community.

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

PRESS RELEASE
MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE TO APARTMENT FIRE ON COLUMBIA
At approximately 2:14 a.m. on August 24, 2026, Cathlamet Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 140 Columbia Street. Initial units arrived on scene at 2:25 a.m. and reported a 13-unit apartment building with active fire involvement thru the roof. Despite the severity of the fire, all 21 residents were accounted for. 7 patients were evaluated and released at the scene. The structure is
expected to be a total loss.
The incident required a large multi-agency response. Assisting departments and agencies included the Skamokawa Fire Department, Wahkiakum Fire District 4, Puget Island Fire Department, Grays River Fire
Department, Cowlitz County Fire District 2, Longview Fire Department, Westport (Oregon) Fire Department, Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office, Wahkiakum County PUD, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
The American Red Cross, Cathlamet Market, Cathlamet Library, Cathlamet Hotel, Old Net Shed Coffeehouse and many other local businesses and residents opened their doors to displaced residents and responders.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue Investigators. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents with immediate needs. WHEELhouse Cathlamet, a
local nonprofit, is coordinating donations for affected residents.
Cathlamet Fire Department extends its sincere gratitude to all responding agencies and community partners for their swift and coordinated response.

08/24/2026

Commercial structure fire Main Street in Cathlamet. Puget Island is blocked off at this time. Avoid the area. Power is out to areas of cathlamet and you will see low water pressure in the Cathlamet area.