The Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) announced Monday evening that evacuation zones surrounding the Hidden Meadows fire in North Clark County have been lowered to Level 1 Get Ready. Earlier on Monday, areas designated as Level 3 Go Now and Level 2 Get Set were both scaled back, reflecting progress made by fire‑fighting crews.
What the change means for residents
Level 1 Get Ready is the lowest alert level. It signals that residents should remain prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen, but no immediate departure is required. The agency expects the Level 1 status to remain in place for the next several days while the fire is fully contained.
Ongoing fire‑suppression efforts
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel and Fire District 10 continue to operate on the scene. Their primary goal is to extinguish the fire completely and prevent any re‑ignition. Because the blaze remains within its existing footprint, smoke may still be visible in nearby neighborhoods.
How to stay informed
Residents can monitor the latest evacuation map and updates at creesa.wa.gov. For real‑time alerts, the county encourages signing up for emergency notifications via phone, text, or email at clarkpublicalerts.org. The agency reminds the public not to call 911 for general fire information, reserving emergency lines for life‑threatening situations.
Travel advisories
State Route 503 is currently open. Motorists are asked to give firefighters and emergency vehicles ample space, especially in areas where crews are actively working. Drivers should stay alert for temporary road closures or traffic control measures.
Community response
Local families and faith‑based groups have expressed gratitude for the swift response by first‑responders and for the clear communication from CRESA. Many parents appreciate the agency’s emphasis on keeping children safe while allowing daily routines to resume as soon as possible.
Looking ahead
The agency will reassess the situation in the coming days. If conditions improve further, evacuation levels could be reduced again. Until then, residents should keep emergency kits ready, stay tuned to official channels, and cooperate fully with any future directives.
For a detailed map of the current evacuation zones, visit the Clark County Today website and follow the link to the story.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
