WASCO CO. — Multiple communities, including Pine Hollow, Wamic, Antelope and Shaniko, are under evacuation orders as one wildfire continues to rage and two separate incidents wind down.
This comes after an explosive weekend statewide. Over 1.28 million acres have burned since the season began, and there are currently 64 active wildfires, according to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management dashboard.
Here’s your local update.
Grasshopper Fire
Smoke from the Grasshopper Fire, which ignited on July 23 and has largely burned in the Badger Creek Wilderness, hangs over Pine Hollow Reservoir early on July 28.
- Nathan Wilson photo
While the majority of resources for the Grasshopper Fire are being stationed in Tygh Valley, some were housed and deployed directly from the Wamic Rural Fire Department on July 28.
- Nathan Wilson photo
A layer of smoke from the Grasshopper Fire rests above Tygh Valley, as seen from Wamic Market Road the morning of July 28.
- Nathan Wilson photo
Over a dozen roads in the Mt. Hood National Forest are closed because of the Grasshopper Fire after 18,136 acres have already burned.
- Nathan Wilson photo
After igniting late on July 23, an infrared flight last night placed the Grasshopper Fire at 18,136 acres in size. No homes have reportedly been impacted as of yesterday afternoon, but damage to Forest Service structures in the Badger Creek Wilderness is unknown.
Pine Hollow, Wamic and Sportsmans Park are all under Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders. Tygh Valley is at Level 2.
“We’re focused on the south and east edge of the fire, which has been the case all along, because that’s where the homes are,” Maryellen Fitzgerald, public information officer for the fire, said during a July 28 interview. “That finger, the lower edge of that finger, is where a lot of work is happening today.”
While fire activity is minimal on the west end, active burning is still occurring on the finger roughly two miles away from Pine Hollow, and north of Badger Creek. Lines have held on the eastern flank and along Forest Service Road 4810 to the south, but the fire remains 0% contained and is spreading north.
Three task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are providing 24-hour structure protection, completing precautionary fuel reduction work should the fire advance into surrounding communities, Fitzgerald said. Over 200 personnel are currently assigned, and while orders are being fulfilled, it’s taking longer than usual given the sheer number of incidents statewide. Fitzgerald noted that safety officers from Australia arrived on scene yesterday, and more resources are coming.
The local Type 3 team that has been overseeing command briefed California Interagency Incident Management Team 6 yesterday afternoon, they assumed command at 6 a.m. this morning. With limited access roads, fighting the fire’s northern half has proved challenging, along with the dry fuels regionwide.
A recent advisory from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center explained how record-low snowpack and subsequent drought conditions have made normally unavailable fuels ripe for burning, as previously reported by Columbia Gorge News.
“Getting residents home is what’s driving us,” said Fitzgerald. “Folks [who work] at the Barlow Ranger District have been evacuated, so this is also home for us. It’s our community.”
Follow the Grasshopper Fire Facebook page for up-to-date incident information, and click here for all evacuation orders in Wasco County. Multiple trails, recreation sites and roads are closed in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Click here for details. For all road closures statewide, visit Oregon Tripcheck.
Little Buck Fire
Sitting at 36,003 acres, the Little Buck Fire burning in Wasco County’s southeast corner is 50% contained. It’s the last active incident in the Hay Creek Complex, which has torched over 186,000 acres across Wasco, Sherman, Gillam and Wheeler counties.
Interior pockets of the Little Buck Fire, well within containment lines, are still producing visible smoke. Antelope, Shaniko and Clarno remain under Level 2 evacuation orders.
A comprehensive assessment of structure damage for the Hay Creek Complex has yet to be released, but officials are hosting a community meeting today, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Condon Veteran’s Memorial Hall. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the incident’s Facebook page.
8-Mile Fire
A corner of the 8-Mile Fire burn scar, stretching 532 acres in total, as seen from Pine Hollow Road on July 28.
- Nathan Wilson photo
The 8-Mile Fire burned primarily through brush, with intermittent torching, and is completely contained.
- Nathan Wilson photo
Reported on July 24, the 8-Mile Fire has burned 532 acres about five miles west of Dufur. Thanks to heavy initial attack from the Oregon Department of Forestry, mutual aide partners, aircraft and local landowners, forward progress was stopped that night.
The fire is completely contained as of last night. Columbia Gorge News observed no damaged structures while driving around the fire’s perimeter on Pine Hollow and Eightmile roads yesterday morning.
Commented