Controlled training burn planned near Ferncrest Road on February 28

Residents west of Longview may see smoke in the Ferncrest Road area on February 28, 2026. According to reporting by Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue has scheduled a live‑fire training burn at a donated structure.

KLOG’s reporting states that the exercise is planned to run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fire agencies commonly use controlled burns of acquired structures to provide firefighters with realistic conditions that cannot be replicated in classroom environments.

The training site, as described in the report, is located in the vicinity of Ferncrest Road. Cowlitz County residents in nearby neighborhoods may notice visible smoke throughout the day. Because this is a planned operation, officials have indicated no cause for alarm.

Why this matters

Live‑fire trainings give local firefighters critical hands‑on experience in environments that mirror actual residential fire conditions. For communities in the Longview–Kelso area, these exercises help maintain readiness for structure fires along the west end of town, rural response zones, and wildland–urban interface areas.

Training burns also allow crews to practice coordinated suppression, ventilation, and safety procedures that become essential during multi‑unit responses. While brief smoke impacts may occur, such exercises typically improve long‑term emergency preparedness in the surrounding area.

Sources

Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG: Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Controlled Burn Training