<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Residents told to evacuate due to Columbia River Gorge fire

A wildfire that started between Hood River and The Dalles in Oregon quickly grew, leading officials to order evacuations

By Associated Press
Published: August 12, 2020, 9:52pm
2 Photos
The Mosier Creek Fire was about 800 acres Thursday morning. Active fire behavior in some areas hampered fire crew's efforts to establish containment lines overnight.
The Mosier Creek Fire was about 800 acres Thursday morning. Active fire behavior in some areas hampered fire crew's efforts to establish containment lines overnight. (Oregon Department of Forestry) Photo Gallery

MOSIER, Ore. — A wildfire burning in the scenic Columbia River Gorge has grown to nearly 800 acres and is threatening hundreds of homes.

The fire broke out Wednesday in the community of Mosier, Oregon, which is between Hood River and The Dalles along Interstate 84. It has prompted evacuations and had burned 791 acres as of Thursday morning.

The blaze, named the Mosier Creek fire, was caused by humans, according to The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, making more state resources available to fire crews. The state fire marshal’s office will assume command Thursday.

Brown said Wednesday night that the fire was threatening about 300 homes, and the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has ordered residents of several roads in Mosier to evacuate.

A hotel in The Dalles is available as a shelter.

Christie Shaw, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said the fire started as crews were mopping up another blaze in the same area Wednesday. She said winds caused the Mosier Creek fire to spread.

Loading...