Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue

08/26/2026

Welcome to Jason McKenzie!

Firefighter Paramedic McKenzie took his oath of office today, and we're proud to have him join our department.

08/22/2026

Wildland Fires Update

Several Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue returned from Deployment over the past few days, and some are returning to the front lines.

Kirk Huhta, Tanner Plilier, Garret Johnson, Danny Olson, and Vince Beyer returned Thursday afternoon from a 13-day tour through Eastern Washington, which included the following fires: Little Goose fire, Palouse River fire, the Alpowa fire, and the Little Giant fire near Leavenworth.

Firefighters Zo Araujo Silveria and Stu Hodnot returned Friday afternoon from a medic unit assignment on the Sinlahekin fire near Tonasket; this crew has been on assignment since the 1st week of August. They were replaced by Firefighters Tom Christopher and Ryan Satcher (pictured), who left Thursday, on the same fire.

Battalion Chief Dan Cothren has also recently returned from his assignment, as part of an incident management team, tending to Wrights Springs Fire in Klamath County, Oregon.

Deputy Chief Kurt Stich is currently on the same fire, arrived this Wednesday, and will remain assigned as part of another Incident Management Team, and is expected to be assigned for around 2 weeks.

Battalion Chief Matt Beaulaurier is on a short assignment as a Division Supervisor at the Sage Creek Fire (near the border of Lewis and Pacific County).

And finally, Captain John Croco is wrapping up his role on an Incident Management Team on the Big Grass Fire in Eastern Oregon. John is expected to return next week.

Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue would also like to thank regional partners Fire District 5 (Kalama), Fire District 1(Woodland), and Fire District 7 (Ariel) for joining them in efforts to combat this especially difficult Wildland season.

08/11/2026

🚨 BURN BAN EXPANDED IN COWLITZ COUNTY 🚨

Due to increased fire danger and the commitment of shared firefighting resources, the seasonal burn ban in Cowlitz County has been expanded.

🔥 Effective immediately: All recreational fires and campfires are prohibited in unincorporated areas of Cowlitz County.

The expanded ban will remain in effect until further notice.

✅ What is still allowed:
• Gas-fired tables and patio heaters operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Self-contained cooking grills fueled by wood pellets or charcoal when placed on concrete or another non-combustible surface
• Charcoal and pellet ash must be completely extinguished and disposed of in a metal container

Please help us reduce the risk of wildfires and protect our community and our shared firefighting resources. If you’re unsure whether an activity is allowed, check before you burn.

UPDATE: Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, serving as the Fire Marshal for the City of Kelso, has confirmed that the City of Kelso will comply with the expanded burn ban rules.

📞 Questions? Contact the Cowlitz County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-577-3052.

08/09/2026

This is us...C2FR

08/09/2026

Wildland Update for Saturday Night, August 8th

The men and women of Cowlitz County fire districts responded again to assist others in need.

Just before midnight Friday night, the Wildland Task Force went out to the Little Goose Fire in Columbia County

The task force consists of units/people from
Cowlitz Fire District 1 - Woodland
Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue
Cowlitz Fire District 5 - Kalama
Cowlitz Skamania Fire District 7 - Aerial
Clark Fire District 10 - Amboy

Please do your part — observe the burn ban restrictions in your area!!

Also,

The Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue medic unit remains out at the Sinlahekin Fire near Tonaskat

In addition to units out on fires, Cowlitz 2 has two members deployed as part of their Complex Incident Management Teams.

Members are at the Big Grass Fire on the Oregon-Idaho border and at the Wrights Spring Fire near Klamath Falls.

Please keep them in your thoughts to remain safe in their efforts.

08/08/2026

This is us....C2FR

08/07/2026

Earlier this week Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue took one more step to getting 2 new brush trucks.

We have purchased two (2) Ford F550’s and dropped them off in White City Oregon at to be outfitted with eqiupment, lights, and striping. They will look very similar to the 2021 unit.

We look forward to having the new rigs back by mid-September and they will help expand our brush fighting capacity. These new units will have 400 gallon water tanks and seating for four (4) responders. Brush trucks are specially designed for fighting wildland fires and responding in rough terrain.

Thank you to Board of Commissioners and the community for their support.

08/06/2026

Wildland Fire Season Update from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue:

The crew of Brush 25 has returned from their 2-week deployment. The first few days where at the Railroad Fire in Franklin County and then they spent 10 days in Stevens County at the Bradeen Hill fire.

Thanks to D/OJohnson, FF/PM Hieggelke, and FF/EMT New. They joined members from Cowlitz County Fire District #1 (Woodland), County Fire District 5 (Kalama), Cowlitz-Skamania Fire District 7 (Ariel), and Clark County Fire District 10 (Amboy) to be the Cowlitz County Wildland Task Force.

Great work folks!!

And this morning Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue sent two personnel and a paramedic unit to Okanogan County to assist at the Sinlahekin Fire. We wish Lt. Hodnot and FF/EMT Araujo Silveira safe travels.

Here in Cowlitz County, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue remains staffed and ready to respond to your emergencies and to support the residents in our District.

08/05/2026

👀 Is it that time of year again already 👀

🍧 Happy Take Your Neighbor a Popsicle Day! 🍧
👀It's totally a real holiday... every year anytime the temperature is over 80!😎
Hot weather can be more than uncomfortable—it can be dangerous, especially for older adults, young children, and those with medical conditions.
Today is the perfect reminder to check in on your neighbors. A simple knock on the door, a friendly conversation, or even delivering a cold popsicle can make a big difference during extreme heat.
☀️ Make sure they:
✅ Have access to air conditioning or a cool place to stay
✅ Are drinking plenty of water
✅ Are limiting strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day
✅ Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Strong communities look out for one another. This summer, take a few minutes to check on family, friends, and neighbors—because sometimes the coolest thing you can do is care.
Stay safe, stay hydrated, and enjoy a popsicle! 🍦

🍧 Happy Take Your Neighbor a Popsicle Day! 🍧
👀It's totally a real holiday... every year anytime the temperature is over 80!😎

Hot weather can be more than uncomfortable—it can be dangerous, especially for older adults, young children, and those with medical conditions.

Today is the perfect reminder to check in on your neighbors. A simple knock on the door, a friendly conversation, or even delivering a cold popsicle can make a big difference during extreme heat.

☀️ Make sure they:
✅ Have access to air conditioning or a cool place to stay
✅ Are drinking plenty of water
✅ Are limiting strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day
✅ Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Strong communities look out for one another. This summer, take a few minutes to check on family, friends, and neighbors—because sometimes the coolest thing you can do is care.

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and enjoy a popsicle! 🍦

07/28/2026

Update: Our crews are remaining safe while fighting multiple wildland fires in the Northwest and Colorado. Seven firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue are involved, in various roles, in fire suppression activities on the following fires:

Elk Fire. 2,317 acres. 37% contained (Hinsdale and Gunnison Counties, CO)

Railroad Fire. 8,216 acres. 90% contained (Grant County, WA)

Kaiser Canyon Fire. 124,251 acres. 15% contained (Okanogen and Ferry Counties, WA)

Hay Creek Complex Fire 191,841 acres. 15% contained (Crook, Wheeler, Wasco, and Jefferson Counties, OR)

Please keep them in your thoughts.