UPDATE: The Wrentham Market Fire has burned an estimated 7,222 acres and is 78% contained as of Friday morning. Click here to read more.
DUFUR, Ore. — A brush fire led to urgent evacuations east of Highway 197 near the town of Dufur in Wasco County Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
At about 2:40 p.m., the Wasco County Sheriff's Office said on social media that the fire was burning near Wrentham Road southeast of The Dalles. By 8 p.m., the fire had grown to roughly 150-200 acres.
As of Thursday, the fire, now named the Wrentham Market Fire, was reported to be an estimated 10,000 acres. Deputies said it is about 38% contained. Portland Fire and Rescue deployed crews to assist the Multnomah County Task Force.
Gov. Kate Brown also invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the fire. This allows the state's Fire Marshal to bring in resources from other counties around Oregon to assist. Corbett and Gresham Fire have also sent crews to assist.
About 70-100 people under level 3 "go now" evacuation orders, deputies said. People living on the following streets have been ordered to evacuate.
- Wrentham Road
- Ridge Road
- Atkinson Road
- Stuber Road
- Fulton Road
- Boyd Loop
- Long Hollow Road
- Robert Market Road
- Summit Ridge Road
- Hastings Road
“With high temperatures and weather conditions helping fires grow quickly, I have invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act to make more state resources available to the fire crews on the front lines in Wasco County at the Wrentham Market Fire,” Gov. Brown said. "I want to reiterate that preventing wildfires is critical this year, especially as we already have entered an early season with several fires burning across the state. I'm asking all Oregonians to be cautious, be safe, and to honor all burn bans."
On Thursday, Gov. Brown also issued a State of Emergency due to the threat of wildfires. The State of Emergency allows for the allocation of more resources to fight fires if needed.
The sheriff's office is posting updates on evacuation orders to its Facebook page.
As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, about 20 structures were threatened, one barn was destroyed and one home was saved, deputies said.
Deputies said evacuated families in need of a place to stay should call the American Red Cross at 1-888-680-1455.
