Firefighters say a fast and aggressive response helped stop the Hidden Meadows Fire north of Battle Ground before flames reached hundreds of nearby homes.
Firefighters say a fast and aggressive response helped stop the Hidden Meadows Fire north of Battle Ground before flames reached hundreds of nearby homes.
The fire grew to about 12 acres Monday, prompting Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notices as crews attacked the flames from the ground and air.
By Monday night, officials said the most active parts of the fire were under control. Areas previously under Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices were reduced to Level 1, while earlier Level 1 notices were lifted.
Crews initially arrived to find about an acre of fire moving through brush and young timber. With homes in its path, firefighters quickly called in aircraft to drop retardant and helicopters to make water drops.
One man watching the fire said she was keeping a close eye on the conditions.
“I can see which way the wind's blowing. At this point, I hope they get it under control,” he said.
Doorbell camera video showed authorities going door to door as evacuation notices expanded around the fire.
The response eventually grew to roughly 100 firefighters, with crews from across Clark and Cowlitz counties joining state resources.
Tom Aston, the initial incident commander, said the combination of firefighters on the ground and aircraft overhead was critical.
“So not only do those ground resources getting there quickly make a difference, but especially in a fire like this, those air resources do as well,” Aston said.
Officials said one early warning sign was reports of ash falling in the area, which suggested the fire could be more significant than crews initially knew.
Hundreds of homes threatened
The fire was burning in a heavily wooded area, with some homes sitting close to the flames.
Aston said the layout of the Hidden Meadows neighborhood made the threat especially concerning.
“The Hidden Meadows area specifically to the south is one major significant road with lots of spiderwebs smaller roads off of it, so hundreds of homes were threatened,” Aston said.
Evacuees of the Hidden Meadows Fire bring their pets to Charter Oak Community Church on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (KATU)Firefighters were prepared to clear furniture, wood piles, trees, shrubs and other material that could give flames a path toward homes.
Aston said some homeowners had already done that work before the fire started, giving crews more space and time to defend properties.
“The risk is very high, but we were able to go in and be very aggressive in our initial firefight and, as a result of that, put a stop to it to not affect any homes,” Aston said.
No homes were damaged, according to fire officials.
Crews remained on scene Monday night working to secure the fire and prevent hot spots from flaring back up.
