Fire Watch: Fires plague Gorge

When the Valley View Fire (also called the Sunset Valley Fire) was first reported July 1, conditions where reminiscent of those facing firefighters during the Substation Fire of 2018. Both fires started within 1/2 mile of each other, were driven by high winds into dry fuels.

THE DALLES — A midnight fire at The Dalles Marina burned multiple boathouses on the west (downstream) end of the marina Saturday night.

Two couples cut off from access to shore by dock were rescued by others at the marina, as were several boats.

A fire burned around seven acres on the west end of Lyle Sunday afternoon, threatening multiple structures in the community, but thanks to fast-acting support by assets from Klickitat and Wasco counties as well as Washington Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service, firefighters were able to contain the spread to 100% by the evening.

Land managers around the Pacific Northwest are preparing for what could be another tough year for wildfires. With all of the six counties that…