UPDATE July 26, noon — The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) said the Microwave Tower Fire is now 53% contained and crews have taken control of the southern border.
"Today, firefighters will continue these firing operations along the northern edge, utilizing the dozer line, the Columbia River Highway State Trail, and rocky areas, tying it in with the fire that has already reached the trail, securing it all the way from east to west," the ODF said in their daily release.
Road closures in Hood River County as of noon on July 26.
Photo courtesy Hood River County Sheriff's OfficeThe Hood River County Sheriff's Office closed several roads in the west end of the county.
Existing evacuation levels remain in place and the Red Cross center is open at the Hood River Middle School.
The Incident Management Team in charge of the fire said they are receiving calls about how to help.
"We have received several phone calls offering a variety of generous items and food donations. We are unable to accept any donations. Our firefighters and personnel have contracts in place to ensure their basic needs are met. If you are still compelled to donate, please consider the Wildland Firefighter Foundation: https://give.wffoundation.org/donate."
The Microwave Tower Fire Facebook page reports that no structures have been burned.
UPDATE July 25, 10:30 a.m. — As electricity was restored for Mosier residents yesterday, crews continued to contain the Microwave Tower Fire. As of 8 a.m. Thursday the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports the fire is 14% contained.
Evacuation orders remain in place.
UPDATE July 24, 4 p.m. — Level 1 evacuations have been issued for part of Hood River County near the Microwave Tower Fire.
Level 1 - BE READY to evacuate from the intersection of Hwy 35 and Hwy 30, south to intersection of Eastside Rd and Paasch Dr., east to Elder Rd. and due north to Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
Esta es una alerta de incendio forestal de parte de la Oficina del Sheriff del condado de Hood River. Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: de la intersección
De la Carretera Hwy 35 y la carretera Hwy 30, al Sur de la intersección de la calle Eastside Rd y la calle Paasch Dr., al Este de la calle Elder Rd. y derecho hacia el Norte de la Carretera Estatal Historica del Rio Columbia.
UPDATE July 24, 12 p.m. — The Wasco County Sheriff's Office and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) provided an outlook on the 704-acre Microwave Tower Fire west of Mosier.
According to a joint press release, the Type 1 Great Basin Team 6, led by Incident Commander Mack McFarland, assumed command at 6 a.m. The incident command post is located at the Hood River High School. Public information officers with the team will receive inquiries about both the nearby Whiskey Creek and Microwave Tower fires.
There are no updates for containment yet, but an ODF spokesman said they are hopeful to have a better idea over the next 24 hours.
Last night, crews and dozers worked along the eastern and southeastern edges while structural firefighters continued to assess and secure homes in the area. There are an estimated 100 homes that are under Level 3 evacuations.
The official Microwave Tower Fire Facebook page described the behavior of the fire: "Moderate activity with intermittent single tree torching, some flanking and smoldering creating a moderate amount of smoke. The fire also saw growth backing down the north slope. With the expected increased winds today, crews are ready to address increased fire behavior and there is a potential for increased smoke in the area."
The Mosier Senior Center (500 E 2nd Ave, Mosier) is open from dawn to dusk as a cooling center, device charging center and is also stocked with ice water.
Interstate 84 remains open between Hood River and The Dalles, although part of the I-84 corridor in Eastern Oregon, from Pendleton to Ontario, is currently closed due to unpredictable fire activity in the area, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
For the most current information, travelers are encouraged to visit Tripcheck.com.
UPDATE July 23, 3:53 p.m. — The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) issued an update on the Microwave Tower Fire. ODF reported that firefighters worked through the night "taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and higher humidity."
The most progress has been made of the southern portion of the fire, but the steep slopes on the northern hillside proves to be difficult. The ODF said that air support played an important role in suppressing the fire.
The Type 1 Great Basin National Team currently managing the Whiskey Creek Fire in Hood River County will assume command from Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. The incident command post will be at the Hood River High School.
Evacuation levels have not changed since the last Wasco County Sheriff’s update at 10 p.m. yesterday:
LEVEL 3 - GO NOW! Evacuate immediately from Hwy 30 south the Proctor Rd., east to Huskey Rd and the border of the City of Mosier and west to the Hood River County line.
LEVEL 2 - GET SET from the City of Mosier and Huskey Rd., south to Wilson Rd., and east to Mosier Creek Rd.
LEVEL 1 - GET READY from Mosier Creek Rd., east to Dry Creek Rd., north to the City of Mosier border and south to Osborn Cutoff Rd.
UPDATE July 23, 11:42 a.m. — According to the Wasco County Sheriff's Office the Microwave Tower Fire has burned 591 acres and said that evacuations will remain in place for the next 24 hours.
The Oregon Department of Forestry - Central Oregon District is investigating the cause of the fire.
The Red Cross Shelter at Hood River Middle School remains open for evacuees. (1602 May Street, Hood River, OR 97031)
UPDATE July 23, 10:26 a.m. — According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, as of Tuesday morning there are two strike teams from Multnomah and Clackamas counties and three task forces from Multnomah, Benton and Rogue Valley fighting the Microwave Tower Fire west of Mosier.
New evacuation areas include:
LEVEL 3 - GO NOW! Evacuate immediately from Hwy 30 south the Proctor Rd., east to Huskey Rd and the border of the City of Mosier and west to the Hood River County line.
LEVEL 2 - GET SET **EXPANDED** from the City of Mosier and Huskey Rd., south to Wilson Rd., and east to Mosier Creek Rd.
LEVEL 1 - GET READY **NEW** from Mosier Creek Rd., east to Dry Creek Rd., north to the City of Mosier border and south to Osborn Cutoff Rd.
Skamania Fire District 1 have joined Stevenson Fire Department, Skamania County Fire District 5, Skamania County Fire District 4, Skamania County Fire District 3 and North Bonneville Fire Department to provide mutual aid.
UPDATE July 22, 6:37 p.m. — A press release issued at 6:35 p.m. states:
"Residents west of the Columbia Gorge town of Mosier are being told to evacuate as the fast-moving Microwave Tower Fire burns eastward, driven by strong westerly winds of 30 to 35 miles per hour.
LEVEL 3 - GO NOW! Evacuate immediately from Hwy 30 south the Proctor Rd., east to Huskey Rd and the border of the City of Mosier and west to the Hood River County line.
LEVEL 2 - GET SET to evacuate from the city of Mosier and from Huskey Rd. east to Mosier Creek Rd., and south to Jasper Lane.
A Red Cross shelter for evacuees has been set up at the Hood River Middle School, 1602 May Street, Hood River, OR 97031.
Firefighters from ODF's Unit Office in The Dalles are being aided by Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area U.S. Forest Service and local fire departments in battling the blaze that started west of Rattler Ridge just west of Mosier in the Columbia Gorge. A very large airtanker has been ordered to help on the fire, which was reported at 4 p.m. this afternoon. A task force of fire engines and a dozer from the Larch Creek Fire in south Wasco County are being diverted to assist on the fire. The 1-84 freeway currently remains open.
The fire is burning in grass and timber, pushed eastwards by strong westerly winds of 30 to 35 miles per hour. Earlier this afternoon it was estimated at 100 to 150 acres. Cause is not known at this time.
Evacuation levels may change quickly given the spread rate of the fire, with new areas being moved into evacuation status. For the most up-to-date evacuation information, please visit the Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff/"
UPDATE July 22, 5:44 p.m. — Evacuations can be found on the RAPTOR evacuation map: https://arcg.is/01mPra
Cascade Locks Fire and EMS has send Brush 97 with two personnel to assist. Hood River Sheriff's Office deputies are assisting with the evacuations.
The gymnasium at the Hood River Middle School — 1602 May St, Hood River, OR 97031 — is a designated Red Cross Shelter for those evacuating Mosier.
5:28 p.m. — A fire was reported east outside Hood River and between Mosier near the Old Dalles Road and Elder Road near the microwave tower. The Microwave Tower Fire was reported at approximately 3:42 p.m. on July 22. Weather conditions are heavily considered with wind gusts reaching up to 20 mph and 42% humidity. According to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Level 3 Evacuation orders have been issued for Rattler Ridge Rd., east to Huskey Rd., north to the border of the City of Mosier and south to the intersection of Huskey Rd. and Proctor Rd.
Level 2 GET SET: The City of Mosier from Huskey Rd east to Mosier Creek Rd.
At 4:47 p.m. the fire was reported two acres in size. Less than an hour later at 5:29 p.m. the fire was reported at 100 acres.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
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