850 converge on 11,00- Acre Burdoin Fire; Winery destroyed
The Dalles, Ore., July 22, 2025 — Nearly 850 firefighters and support personnel are battling the Burdoin Fire east of White Salmon, which has scorched nearly 11,000 acres since igniting Friday and remains uncontained. Crews made progress Monday building and reinforcing firelines on both the western and eastern flanks, even as officials warned of hotter, windier conditions later this week.
According to the incident update, firefighters are using 105 engines, three bulldozers, 18 hand crews, and five dedicated aircraft — including heavy helicopters and fixed-wing scoopers — to battle the Burdoin Fire.
Weather forecasts for the fire zone are somewhat encouraging, according to predictions from the National Weather Service. Relatively mild winds are expected over the next few days. Overnight lows will remain in the low 60s under mostly clear skies, while daytime highs are predicted to reach the upper 80s to low 90s. Winds are expected to stay light to moderate — between 5 and 15 mph — but gusts, however, could reach into the mid-20s on Wednesday and Thursday.
The blaze, which started July 18 and whose cause remains under investigation, has prompted evacuations and closed portions of Highway 14 and popular recreation areas in the Columbia River Gorge.
At last reporte more than 250 structures remain threatened, officials said, with at least 37 primary structures damaged and 14 destroyed so far. Another 80 minor structures have also been damaged or lost.
Klickitat County Sheriff’s officials said evacuation levels near Doug’s Beach and Horsethief Lake were downgraded Monday to “Level 2 — Be Set,” but warned residents to stay alert.
Fire crews are focusing on preventing the fire from spreading further toward homes and critical infrastructure. On the western edge, a specialized structure-protection group is assessing damage along Highway 14 and Old Highway 8 and securing areas to prevent reburns. On the eastern front, crews contained a large spot fire north of Centerville Highway and continued reinforcing firelines east of the Klickitat River.
Weather is expected to challenge firefighters in the coming days, with warm, dry air and winds potentially gusting up to 35 mph later in the week, officials said.
Despite the fire’s size and intensity, air quality in the surrounding communities remains generally good, though vulnerable residents were advised to limit outdoor activities if smoke thickens. Red Cross shelters remain open in White Salmon and The Dalles for displaced residents.
Among the losses reported Monday was BARO Wine in Lyle, Washington, which announced that its winery and cellar had been destroyed by the fire. In a social media post Monday afternoon, the winery expressed both grief and gratitude:
"As a family & business we have so much to mourn & so much to be FULLY GRATEFUL for = safety of lives, immense gratitude for first responders, neighbors stepping in as heroes, & our house being saved! But MUCH has been lost. Neighbor’s homes…..lands……and BARO’s winery & cellar."
The post continued: "Our prayers & love continue to go out to all those affected by the Burdoin Fire, all of Lyle, and everyone fighting for our community. We are forever grateful to the firefighters & all first responders!"
BARO Wine opened its tasting room June 14, just over a month before the fire. The winery debuted its first releases this spring, according to its Instagram page.
Highway closures and trailhead shutdowns remain in effect throughout the fire zone, and officials urged travelers to seek alternate routes and respect closures to protect both public safety and fire operations.
Residents seeking up-to-date evacuation information can visit Klickitat County Emergency Management at klickitatcounty.org or follow the interactive map at caltopo.com.
For smoke conditions and safety tips, visit wasmoke.blogspot.com.
