THE DALLES, Ore. — A fire that broke out in The Dalles along the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday evening prompted evacuation orders and burned several homes. Authorities reduced evacuation levels Thursday in a sign that fire crews had made progress on curbing the fire's spread, and lowered them further on Friday.
The fire broke out near Interstate 84 at milepost 87 on the east side of The Dalles — near a mobile home and RV park on a hill above the interstate. The fire was first reported just after 5 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, according to Wasco County Public Information Officer Stephanie Krell.
As of early Friday afternoon, the fire was 80% contained. Crews were still on scene but there were "no active fires," according to Krell. It's officially known as the Mile Post 87 Fire.
In an update, the Wasco County Sheriff's Office said that the fire had destroyed one "brick and mortar" home and two mobile homes. It damaged another mobile home, one outbuilding and two pump houses.
The Wasco County Sheriff's Office on Thursday reduced all Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders to Level 2 "Get Ready" warnings, and further reduced them on Friday to Level 1 "Be Ready" warnings.
The warnings remain in place for areas east of Veterans Drive from Summit Drive to Eightmile Road and Viewpoint Road, and east of Eightmile Road to Company Hollow Road.
The Level 3 evacuation area identified Wednesday evening included the Oregon Veterans' Home, a residential center for disabled veterans. However, WCSO later clarified that residents of the center were "sheltering in place" instead of evacuating.
"There are numerous fire engines surrounding the structure to protect the building, its residents and staff," the agency said in an update.
Gateway Church at 1111 Dry Hollow Road has been set up as a Red Cross shelter for evacuees. WCSO said that anyone in need of assistance should head to the church or contact the emergency information line at 541-506-2792.
By nightfall on Wednesday, the Mile Post 87 fire had burned at least 150 acres. Fire officials said that they'd set up structure protection for threatened buildings along Fifteen Mile Road, but "extreme fire activity" seen earlier in the day had moderated. Fire crews planned to work on containment overnight and into Thursday.
A video shared with KGW shortly after the fire started on Wednesday showed a home on a hill with flames seen on the roof. The video shows the perspective from across the river on the Washington side of the Columbia River.
Later photos sent in by another viewer showed the same home fully engulfed in flames.
A KGW viewer also sent another video of a plume of smoke seen while driving east on the interstate through The Dalles.
As the fire spread Wednesday evening, KGW chief meteorologist Matt Zaffino said that the closeness of the smoke plume to the ground, visible on KGW's skycam on the Oregon Veterans' Home, demonstrated the strength of the winds fanning those flames. Sustained winds clocked in at 22 mph, with gusts reaching 35 mph.
"That is way too strong for firefighters," Zaffino said. "I mean, it's tough to combat that when the winds is pushing the flames that high, and the low humidity is not helping the cause either."
The Oregon State Fire Marshal's office tweeted Wednesday night that it had mobilized two scooper planes to help stop the wildfire and support firefighters on the ground.
"The fire sparked this afternoon and quickly grew, pushed by gusty winds," OSFM said. "We are in contact with the local fire agencies and continue to evaluate the need for any additional support."
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