Ben and Christi Durham, with their dog Lucy, watch helicopters get water from the Columbia River to help fight the Burdoin Fire as it threatens the town of Lyle on July 19.
Ben and Christi Durham, with their dog Lucy, watch helicopters get water from the Columbia River to help fight the Burdoin Fire as it threatens the town of Lyle on July 19.
LYLE — Despite gusty winds yesterday, fuel breaks around the Burdoin and Snyder Canyon fires held with very minimal growth, sitting at 11,269 and 53 acres, respectively. Tonight at 6 p.m. in The Dalles High School Auditorium, 220 E. 10th St., emergency management officials are also holding a community meeting to provide residents affected by the Burdoin Fire with updates and resources.
“Our lines were tested, and they passed with flying colors,” said Dean Warner, the fire behavior analyst for Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 13, during a video briefing this morning. “Today will be similar conditions, so they’ll be tested again.
Currently, crews are working to stop fire movement within the unburned “fingers” around Catherine and Major creeks, Lyle Snowden Road and Canyon Road, along with a “horseshoe” across the Klickitat River, according to Northwest 13’s daily report. Warner said that fire would move quickly if it escapes established control lines, but assured firefighters are prepared for that scenario.
While strong winds are continuing today, Incident Meteorologist Matthew Dehr emphasized they bring slightly cooler temperatures and more humidity, both positive factors, before warming back up next week. Also, don’t be alarmed if you see smoke in the air this afternoon.
“There are quite a few interior pockets, both on the X-ray [spot fire, east of the Klickitat River] side and on the main fire side that are torching off — again, all interior for the most part. We have very good security on the perimeter of the fire, and we’re working that consistently,” said Operation Section Chief Jesse Stone during another video briefing.
Some ground resources were temporarily redirected from the Burdoin Fire to assist in Snyder Canyon yesterday, but an additional hotshot crew is filling those holes. While crews have dug hand and bulldozer line on the north end, Stone explained that the southern portion has rough terrain, which is difficult to access.
Both fires are 13% contained, managed by a total of 924 personnel, and evacuation levels remain unchanged from yesterday. Residents should not return to either Level 3 zones until notified by the county. The Snyder Canyon Fire was caused by lightning, but officials are still investigating what sparked the Burdoin Fire.
State Route 142 is open to through traffic, but be mindful of emergency personnel, don’t stop on the road and several other closures are still active: State Route 14 between milepost 66 east of Bingen to milepost 76 west of Lyle; the Courtney, Bristol and Bates connection up to Snowden; Old Highway 8; Lyle Snowden and Canyon roads up to Sleepy Hollow Road, which is closed between Lyle Snowden and State Route 142; Fischer Hill Road up to its intersection with Canyon Road; McGowan Road; Struck Road; and Centerville Highway between Lyle and Schilling Road.
As for the community meeting, residents can expect to hear about current fire response operations, evacuation levels and safety considerations, the recovery process and available support and shelter services. There will also be a disaster assistance center on site, and an opportunity to ask emergency management officials questions. If you’re unable to attend in person, a livestream will be available on the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management’s (KCDEM’s) Facebook page.
Besides the Facebook page, monitor KCDEM’s website for up-to-date information, and sign up for emergency alerts by clicking here. KCDEM also has a live, interactive map of evacuation orders and road closures.
Red Cross Emergency Shelters are located at Grace Baptist Church, 1280 W. Jewett Blvd, in White Salmon, WA, and The Dalles Middle School, 1100 E. 12th St., The Dalles. If you have housing available for affected residents, fill out this form, or if you’d like to volunteer, click here.
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