Fire on Ridgetop Road Fire South of Dufur

by Cole Goodwin

Dufur, OR, September 12, 2023—A 4 acre fire was reported near Ridgetop Road south of Dufur, OR today at around 3:09 p.m. the fire is contained and is now on mop up. Wasco County Sheriff’s office issued a Level 3, GO NOW evacuation order for all of Sportsman's Paradise, Upper Fifteen Mile Rd to Dufur Valley Rd and all of Ridgetop Rd.

Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Wamic Rural Fire Protection District, Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District, Dufur Volunteer Fire and Ambulance, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Central Oregon District Fire, responded to the call.

Temperatures in Dufur were 77°F with winds of 17 mph.

Timeline from Columbia Gorge Wildland & Fire Information Page:

5:12 p.m Fire Bosses have returned to base. Fire command has said that forward progression has been stopped; fire is in mop up with dozer lines being made. Some crews being released and heading back to quarters. One structure has been lost; unclear as to whether there were currently any people residing there.

4:37 p.m. Power line by one of the houses is down and terminated. Crews advised to use caution.

4:28 p.m. Fire command notified all units that they are moving to new position shortly.

4:22 p.m.. Bulldozer on scene to help

4:21 p.m. Fire Bosses 231 and 232 enroute with water drop #3 - eta 15 mins

4:10 p.m. Tygh Valley tender being staged near the fire.

4:01 p.m. Fire Bosses are back enroute with water drop #2 - eta <10 minutes

3:55 p.m. WASCO COUNTY SHERIFF EVACUATION ORDERS

Level 3 GO NOW

-All of Sportsman Paradise, Upper Fifteen Mile Road to Dufur Valley Road, and all of Ridgetop Road.

3:52 p.m. Fire Bosses 231 and 232 doing drop

3:30 p.m. Fire Bosses 231 and 232 are enroute