PORTLAND, Ore. — The Mircrowave Tower Fire burning near Mosier has doubled in size since Tuesday morning. Dry conditions and strong winds are helping fuel the fire, as well as many others around the state.
Crews from all over the state have been working on the Microwave Tower Fire since Monday afternoon. Last night, those flames came within just feet of some homes that were forced to evacuate. Now, the fire has grown to over 704 acres.
Airplanes have been going in and out of the Columbia River to get water to drop on the wildfire. Residents are more than thankful for the crews that are out here.
“They evacuated our hill; we were rattled. We weren’t sure if we could get back into our house,” said Heidi Hart, a Mosier resident.
Hart has lived in the Mosier area for more than three decades. She couldn’t believe what was happening Monday afternoon and evening. Her house was saved from the flames, along with all of her neighbors' homes too.
On Tuesday morning, Hart was able to see her home again, and her house was saved. She wanted to make sure she paid the crews some form of gratitude.
“I bought a bunch of sandwiches and doughnuts and brought them to hand out,” Hart said.
Andy Dwyer with the Oregon Department of Forestry said while the winds backed off Tuesday compared to Monday night, which saw gusts close to 50 mph, it still doesn’t make the conditions any easier.
“It's pretty steep slope, so you can't get really heavy equipment in there, so you have to do hand crew and aerial, so that will be the main focus of the attack on that northern slope,” Dwyer said.
Until this fire is out, neighbors like Hart are going to wait anxiously and hope that the winds don’t pick up again.
Evacuation notices issued Monday night are expected to remain in effect for another 24 hours through to Wednesday afternoon, the Wasco County Sheriff's Office said.
A Level 3 "GO NOW" evacuation area extends from Rattler Ridge Road east to Huskey Road, north to the border of the city and south to the intersection of Huskey Road and Proctor Road, according to a Facebook post from the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. An estimated 100 homes are under Level 3 evacuations, the sheriff's office said, and another 500 homes are threatened in the Mosier area. A Level 2 "Get Set" evacuation includes from Mosier and Huskey Road to Wilson Road and Mosier Creek Road.
PHOTOS: Wildfire near Mosier in Wasco County
Here's what evacuation levels mean
Level 1 Notice - Be Ready: Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and monitor local media outlets for information. Residents with special needs should take note and begin making arrangements to evacuate. Evacuations at this time are voluntary.
Level 2 Notice - Be Set: This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready at a moment's notice. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate.
Level 3 Notice - Go Now: Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should leave immediately. Listen to local media and watch for emergency personnel who may be coming by to give further instructions regarding the evacuation.