Avery Fire leads to Wishram School closure, but evacuation orders have been reduced

The Avery Fire, now 300 acres in size, ignited just south of State Route 14 and west of the Avery Recreation Area. It prompted immediate Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders for the campground. As the fire continued to push north and east, Klickitat County Emergency Management upgraded evacuation orders for Wishram Heights and Wishram to Level 3 and Level 2, respectively, by 9 p.m. 

Due to the firefighting efforts, alongside current and forecasted weather conditions, the county reduced those orders at 12:15 a.m. this morning. Now, Avery Park and Wishram Heights are at Level 2, and Wishram is at Level 1. 

Any potential damage to structures has not yet been reported, and Wishram School will not hold class or any related activities today. 

“The safety of our students, staff, families, and community remains our highest priority. Please continue to follow all evacuation orders and instructions from local emergency officials,” Superintendent Tye Churchwell wrote in a Facebook announcement. “We will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional updates as needed.” 

Radio traffic indicated that crews from the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Forest Service, Washington Department of Natural Resources and several local departments, including Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, Lyle, Dufur, Appleton and High Prairie, all mobilized in response, according to the Columbia Gorge Wildland & Fire Information Facebook page. 

An American Red Cross Shelter has also been opened at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds in Goldendale. To sign up for emergency alerts, click here. For a map of active evacuation orders in Klickitat County, click here.