Wahkiakum County Department of Emergency Management

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

**WCHHS at Hotel Cathlamet 8/25 9am to Provide Additional Resources for Columbia Street Apartment Victims**

Residents from the Columbia Street Apartment Fire can meet with Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services (WCHHS) tomorrow at 9:00am at the Hotel Cathlamet to identify needs and connect with additional resources.

The Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds is available as a shelter location for those affected by the fire. Contact WCHHS at the Hotel Cathlamet tomorrow at 9am or Wahkiakum County Department of Emergency Management to learn more.

08/24/2026

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2026

Austin Smith, Emergency Management Coordinator
Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office - Department of Emergency Management
(360) 795 - 7876
[email protected]

Shelter and Resource Assistance Needed for
Multi-Family Cathlamet Apartment Fire

Wahkiakum County, August 24, 2026 — Multiple agencies are responding to emergent needs of families displaced by the 13-unit Columbia Street apartment fire, which took place early this morning in downtown Cathlamet, Washington. 21 residents were affected by the total loss of the building.

An emergency shelter has been set up at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds. Volunteers are welcome to assist with shelter set-up, meals, and shelter coordination. Those interested can check in at the fairground’s main entrance, located at 14 Fairgrounds Road in Skamokawa, Washington.

Donations of clothing and goods are being accepted today at the Hope Center (3rd Street entrance), Bank of the Pacific, and Cathlamet Public Library.

Those who would like to make a monetary donation can contact Bank of the Pacific and donate to the Cathlamet Apartment Donation Fund, or make a donation to the Zeffy fundraiser organized by WHEELhouse Cathlamet: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-the-residents-of-the-apartments-that-burnt-this-morning-in-cathlamet?fbclid=IwdGRleAT5hutwZG9mAWZkaWQWUNFz1oNWz_iSMnGfl1BnV6d3Rj16tmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4al2gCpwzu6fbU_9YZEUe4MxY9gagh2caSJ0wVYMYy3Hyswh6obJCADjWYjg_aem_7_VUaX-9zrPpync4YMgFoA

For more information, please contact:
Austin Smith
Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office - Department of Emergency Management
(360) 795 - 7876

08/24/2026

State Route 409 is OPEN in both directions onto Puget Island, however, fire crews remain on scene at 140 Columbia St to continue their operations. Please watch out for first responders and drive cautiously through the area.

08/24/2026

**State Route 409 CLOSED**

At this time, SR-409 is CLOSED at Front Street/Main Street due to a Structure Fire. PUD has been advised of the power outage in the area and will work to restore power once it is safe to do so. Dispatch is advising Public Works to see if the Ferry can run before 5am due to this incident.

08/20/2026

WCDEM has been monitoring the Sage Creek Fire since about 11:30am from our Search and Rescue command trailer at the Fairgrounds. We have been monitoring DNR Radio Communications and updates from Incident Command working the fire.

There are no evacuation orders in place at this time and the fire is not threatening any structures. WCDEM will continue to monitor the situation with our partner agencies and neighboring counties.

Note: Air Quality remains at "Good" level in Cathlamet and Skamokawa at this time, but winds can change, so for those who are more susceptible to breathing issues, please prepare for smoke in the area as this fire continues to burn.

If conditions change or significant updates are received, WCDEM will send out additional updates and notifications.

08/20/2026

Wahkiakum County Department of Emergency Management and Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office - Search and Rescue are at the Wahkiakum County Fair this week! Come visit us just outside the fence in the campgrounds area to learn more about DEM and SAR. See you there!

07/06/2026

**BURN BAN - Starting July 9, 2026**

A burn ban will be implemented in Wahkiakum County, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

As of July 9, all land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning is banned until further notice.

See notice for more information or contact Wahkiakum County Building & Planning at 360-795-3067.