The Kalama Fire was estimated to be about 4 acres in size on Wednesday.

The fire, located southeast of the Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, was first discovered on the evening of Aug. 31.

It is being managed as a type four fire, stated a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.

“The fire is located above a cliff, so fire personnel are only able to engage the fire on the upper portions of the slope due to the steep, rocky terrain,” stated the release. “Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth is somewhat limited as result of the terrain.”

The fire did not increase much in size over the weekend. Fire crews have utilized helicopter bucket drops and hose lays that continually pump water on the fire throughout the day and night to slow its spread, stated the release. 

“Due to the nature of the fuel type, elevated drought indices, and steepness of terrain it is possible that smoke will be visible on the Kalama fire until a season ending rain event occurs,” stated the release.

The next few days will be critical as fire weather conditions are expected to worsen. The National Weather Service predicts that high pressure over the western United States will keep temperatures near or above average into next weekend.

“In addition, the first east wind event of the fall appears likely Friday into early Saturday,” stated the release. “With hot temperatures and a drying of the air mass with the east winds, fire weather concerns are increasing particularly across the Cascades, but lower elevations as well.”

Current trail closures include Trail No. 231, or the Kalama Ski Trail, from the Kalama Horse Camp; Trail No. 238, the Toutle Trail, from Kalama Horse Camp to Blue Horse and Red Rock trailheads; and Trail No. 204, the Cinnamon Trail, from the Kalama Horse Camp.

Road 8122 is closed at the junction with Forest Road 81 and the 420 Spur from Forest Road 81 is closed to where it meets private ownership.

There’s currently campfire bans and other restrictions in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and much of the region, stated the release.  

There are currently no active evacuations for the Kalama Fire. 

The fire is thought to be human-caused but is still under investigation, stated the release. 

For more information on the fire, go online to www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/fire .

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