Christy Grimm, left, and Jake Allen, right, watch the Burdoin Fire as it threatens the town of Lyle as seen from the Rowena Crest Overlook near the Tom McCall Preserve across the Columbia River from Lyle, Washington on July 19.
Helen H. Richardson photo/special to Columbia Gorge News
Christy Grimm, left, and Jake Allen, right, watch the Burdoin Fire as it threatens the town of Lyle as seen from the Rowena Crest Overlook near the Tom McCall Preserve across the Columbia River from Lyle, Washington on July 19.
Helen H. Richardson photo/special to Columbia Gorge News
LYLE — The Burdoin Fire, which ignited near State Route 14 outside of Bingen last Friday afternoon, has consumed at least 10,730 acres on its wind-driven, originally eastward path toward Lyle.
The Klickitat River is largely still holding as a boundary line, but the fire jumped and split on Saturday, burning northeast of the small town’s center while the fire’s main body turned north and continues to spread over steep terrain that direction as of press deadline on Monday.
The Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Type 3 Team reported that 14 primary structures and 30 secondary structures have been destroyed, along with a total of 87 other damaged structures as of Sunday. The entirety of Lyle is under Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders, which stretch from Dickey Farms in Bingen, past Dallesport and several miles up the Klickitat River Valley north of High Prairie.
The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) expanded those orders as the fire burned northwest and approached Tracy Hill Sunday afternoon. The towns of Klickitat and Snowden sit at Level 1, but Appleton is at Level 2, and around 250 structures are still threatened with 0% containment. A complex incident management team, Northwest 13, assumed control of the fire Monday morning with cloudy skies overhead.
“Primary objectives are to minimize impacts to communities and community infrastructure in Bingen, Lyle and High Prairie,” along with Yakama Nation lands and natural resources, reads a July 21 report from Northwest 13. “Cooler temperatures and higher humidity Sunday and today will help moderate fire behavior, however, it is still burning actively.”
A house is saved from the wildfire that began Friday, July 18.
Stephen Datnoff photo
Crews halted a slop over along Lyle Snowden Road on Sunday and overnight tactical ignition operations around the spot fire northeast of Lyle were successful, which crews reinforced on Monday. A combination of hand and dozer line is holding along the fire’s northwest boundary, with mop up progressing along State Route 14 and near Bingen. A primary focus will be in the Catherine Creek drainage, where an interagency hotshot crew is scouting for an area to bring a dozer line over from Major Creek.
“Multiple scooper aircraft and helicopters are supporting resources on the ground with strategic water drops to cool the fire’s forward [northern] edge. Additional resources are en route and are being assigned as they arrive,” the report said. “River recreationists should be extra cautious between Dallesport and White Salmon.”
Due to falling rocks, trees and debris, State Route 14 is closed in both directions between milepost 66 east of Bingen to milepost 76 west of Lyle. Other complete closures include the Courtney, Bristol and Bates connection up to where Snowden Road intersects with Pearce Road; State Route 142, from milepost 1 near Klickitat County Park to milepost 4 near Knight Creek; Old Highway 8; Lyle Snowden, Canyon and Fischer Hill roads up to Sleepy Hollow Road, which is closed between Acme and Fischer Hill; Struck Road; and Centerville Highway between Lyle and Schilling Road.
“The Level 3 evacuation zone remains closed to all residents at this time for the safety of first responders, prevention of potential looting and the continued threat of additional wildfire spread,” said KCSO Undersheriff Carmen Knopes in a press release. “Do not go around road closed signs — these are for your safety and everyone in the fire zones.”
On Monday, approximately 417 personnel were on scene from Washington’s Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Fire Mobilization, West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority, Klickitat County Fire District 4 – Lyle and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Forest Service and other agencies.
Emergency shelters are available in White Salmon at Grace Baptist Church, relocated from Columbia High School, and at The Dalles Middle School. For livestock and animal evacuation assistance, or to check the status of your home, contact the Klickitat County Emergency Operations Center 509-773-0570. If you have extra housing available for affected residents, fill out this form: bit.ly/Burdoin-Housing.
The fire’s cause is undetermined and still being investigated.
Commented