Vancouver Fire Department Responds To House Fire - 05/24/26

At approximately 7:54 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, the Vancouver Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire at 315 W. Fourth Plain Blvd. 

Upon arrival, fire crews reported visible flames coming from the residence and quickly worked to bring the fire under control. Crews were able to rapidly extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading further into the structure.

Three residents were displaced as a result of the incident. The American Red Cross was notified and responded to assist the displaced residents, alongside the Vancouver Fire Department chaplain, who provided additional support services.

No injuries were reported.

A total of 25 firefighters were dispatched to the scene.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Vancouver Fire Marshal’s office.

EDIT: 

At approximately 7:54 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, the Vancouver Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire at 315 W. Fourth Plain Blvd. 

Upon arrival, fire crews reported visible flames coming from the residence and quickly worked to bring the fire under control. Crews were able to rapidly extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading further into the structure.

Three residents were displaced as a result of the incident. The American Red Cross was notified and responded to assist the displaced residents, alongside the Vancouver Fire Department chaplain, who provided additional support services.

No injuries were reported.

A total of 25 firefighters were dispatched to the scene.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Vancouver Fire Marshal’s office.

Commercial Vehicle Fire Quickly Contained By Sprinkler System And Vancouver Fire Crews (Photo) - 05/15/26

Commercial Vehicle Fire Quickly Contained by Sprinkler System and Vancouver Fire Crews

Vancouver, WA — At 8:59 p.m. last night, the Vancouver Fire Department was dispatched as a single-truck response for a water flow alarm at 1200 W. 8th St. in Vancouver, Washington. While crews were responding, multiple reports began coming into dispatch describing black smoke and visible fire at the facility, prompting the incident to be upgraded to a full commercial fire response.

Truck 1 arrived on scene to find a large commercial truck on fire, with flames coming from the engine and cab area. Firefighters encountered a locked gate upon arrival and were forced to cut it to gain access to the property  and reach the burning vehicle.

Engine 1 deployed hose lines and quickly extinguished the fire, preventing further extension to nearby structures. The truck had been parked beneath a carport equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. The sprinkler system successfully held the fire in check until fire department personnel were able to fully extinguish it.

The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and is investigating the cause of the fire and no injuries were reported.

Vancouver Fire Responds To Injury Crash On I-5 Near Mill Plain (Photo) - 05/14/26

Vancouver Fire Responds to Injury Crash on I-5 Near Mill Plain

VANCOUVER, Wash. — At approximately 7:40 a.m. this morning, Vancouver Fire Department responded to reports of a tire that detached from a northbound semi-truck and struck a southbound minivan on Interstate 5 just north of Mill Plain Boulevard.

The driver of the minivan sustained moderate injuries and was evaluated and treated at the scene by firefighter-paramedics. The patient was later transported by American Medical Response to a local hospital for further care.

The incident caused significant traffic slowdowns in both directions on I-5 during the morning commute. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and use alternate routes while traffic conditions improve.

Vancouver Fire reminds drivers to maintain safe following distances and encourages commercial vehicle operators to conduct thorough equipment inspections prior to travel.  Washington State Patrol is on scene to investigate.

Media Contact:

Captain Raymond Egan

PIO Cell: 360-869-3914

Vancouver Fire Department
Public Information Officer
Vancouver, WA

Vancouver Fire Department Lifts Evacuation And Shelter-in-Place Orders Following Gas Leak - 05/12/26

Vancouver Fire Department Operating At A Vacant House Fire (Photo) - 05/09/26

Vancouver Firefighters are operating at a house fire at 3519 E 21st Street. The 911 call came in around 10:00 AM this morning for reports of a house on fire. The first engine arrived in just 90 seconds and found fire coming from the side of the building. Firefighters used hose lines to start extinguishing the fire, which was found to be vacant with several doors boarded up. It took about 25 minutes to fully extinguish the fire with about 22 firefighters on scene. Nobody was inside the building and no animals were involved. Clark County Fire District 6 sent an engine and a ladder truck to the fire to assist fire fighting efforts. No injuries were reported. Citizens are encouraged to avoid the area until about 12:00 Saturday afternoon to avoid traffic congestion. The Vancouver Fire Marshal's office in on scene investigating the cause of the fire. This report will be updated as further information and pictures become available.  

Vancouver Fire Department Responds To Multi-Vehicle Collision With Injuries (Photo) - 05/04/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2026

Vancouver Fire Department Responds to Multi-Vehicle Collision with Multiple Injuries

Vancouver, WA — At approximately 10:16 PM on May 3, 2026, the Vancouver Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a multi-vehicle collision involving three vehicles on Mill Plain Boulevard in the area of SE 124th Avenue.

Upon arrival, crews found a complex scene spanning several blocks with multiple patients requiring medical attention. Due to the scale and severity of the incident, the first-arriving fire engine requested additional resources, including a second fire engine, a ladder truck, a Battalion Chief, and three ambulances.

One adult female patient required heavy extrication after her vehicle sustained a secondary collision with a large business sign, resulting in significant intrusion into the passenger compartment. The vehicle came to rest between two structural pillars, necessitating rapid and coordinated rescue efforts. Firefighters removed the entire passenger side of the vehicle while simultaneously providing medical care to the patient.

Once extricated, the patient was stabilized, packaged, and transported via ambulance to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. A Vancouver Fire Department paramedic and captain accompanied the ambulance crew to provide advanced life support during the emergency transport.

Additional patients from the incident were evaluated and transported by ambulance as needed.

The Vancouver Police Department assisted at the scene by managing traffic control and conducting an investigation into the cause of the collision.

Safety Reminder:
The Vancouver Fire Department reminds all drivers to remain vigilant, avoid distractions, and obey posted speed limits—especially at night when visibility is reduced. Serious crashes can happen in seconds, but their consequences can last a lifetime. Always wear your seatbelt and drive responsibly to protect yourself and others on the road.

Media Contact:
Vancouver Fire Department Public Information Officer
Captain Raymond Egan
raymond.egan@cityofvancouver.us
cityfirepios@cityofvancouver.us
PIO Cell (360) 869-3914

Crash Involving Hazardous Materials Closes NE Padden Parkway – Shelter-in-Place Advisory Issued (Photo) - 05/01/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2026 – 10:15 PM

Crash Involving Hazardous Materials Closes NE Padden Parkway – Shelter-in-Place Advisory Issued

Emergency responders are currently on scene of a rollover crash involving hazardous materials near NE Padden Parkway and NE 107th Avenue in Clark County. At approximately 9:03 PM, a pickup truck traveling westbound struck the center median, crossed into oncoming traffic, and rolled over, coming to rest on its side in the eastbound lanes. The driver, the sole occupant, was initially trapped inside the vehicle but conscious and breathing. The driver has since been removed and is receiving medical care. During the crash, containers in the truck released a chemical identified as muriatic acid. The spill spread across all eastbound lanes, producing visible fumes and a vapor cloud drifting southwest due to prevailing winds.

What this means for the public:

• NE Padden Parkway is fully closed in both directions between approximately NE 94th Street and State Route 503

• Traffic is being turned around, and drivers should expect significant delays in the surrounding area

• Residents within roughly 1,000 feet of NE 107th Avenue are advised to shelter in place, stay indoors, and close windows and doors

• Pedestrians and cyclists are being cleared from nearby overpasses and trails for safety

Hazmat teams are actively working to identify, contain, and neutralize the chemical spill. Fire crews are operating in protective equipment due to the fumes, and air monitoring is ongoing. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital due to exposure, and additional medical units have been staged as a precaution. Due to the hazardous environment:

• Avoid the area completely

• Do not attempt to bypass closures or approach the scene

• Follow instructions from emergency personnel

This is a developing situation. Road closures are expected to remain in place for several hours while cleanup and safety assessments continue. Updates will be shared as conditions change.

Confined Space Rescue After 20-Foot Fall At Washougal Wastewater Treatment (Photo) - 04/30/26

Washougal, WA — April 29, 2026 — At approximately 1:25 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, crews from the Camas-Washougal Fire Department (CWFD) responded to reports of a 36-year-old man who had fallen into a tank under construction at the Washougal Wastewater Treatment Facility.  The injured man is an employee of a private contractor working on site.

Upon arrival, first responders quickly assessed the situation and recognized the need for specialized rescue resources. The Southwest Washington Region 4 Technical Rescue Team (TRT) was activated to assist. In coordination with a TRT Lead, CWFD personnel initiated air monitoring, secured access to the tank, and began providing medical care to the worker while awaiting the arrival of the rescue team.

TRT members deployed advanced technical rescue techniques and equipment to safely extricate the patient. A cable based vertical haul system was utilized to raise the man approximately 25 feet from the tank floor to the roof level. A second rope system was then established to carefully lower him down a stairway and onto an awaiting ambulance gurney. The patient was transported to a local medical facility in stable condition.

Technical rescue is a specialized discipline within the fire service that involves the application of advanced skills, training, and equipment to safely resolve complex rescue situations. These incidents may include confined space rescues, trench collapses, water emergencies, structural collapses, and rescues involving individuals trapped above or below ground level. This incident required a combination of confined space, high-angle, and low-angle rescue techniques.

The TRT response included personnel from multiple agencies, including Vancouver Fire Department, Clark County Fire District 6, Clark County Fire District 3, and Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue.

The tank involved in the incident is part of a new construction project being completed by a private contractor. The structure measures approximately 150 feet in diameter with a 22-foot interior holding capacity and is designed as a four-cell aerobic digester for biosolid treatment.

Residential Fire At 3512 NE 102nd Court - 04/30/26

At approximately 4:59 PM on April 29th, crews from the Vancouver Fire Department responded to reports of flames coming from a residence at 3512 NE 102nd Court.

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed an active house fire and quickly extinguished it while searching for occupants. During the search, crews safely rescued two dogs from the home.

One occupant was displaced. No firefighter injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Vancouver Fire Marshal's Office.