Fire near Mosier at 700 acres; Volunteers thanked; Fuel supplied for generators
Lower temps in the 80s in Mosier should aid firefighters as they enter their third day in the battle against the Microwave Tower Fire that started July 22.
This image of the Microwave Tower Fire was captured by Val Crites Fowler and posted to the Columbia Gorge Wildland Fire Information Page last night. “Looks like the fire has just kicked off more dramatically on the river side of the ridge,” Fowler wrote in the caption.
From the Oregon Department of Forestry with additions by Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., July 24, 7 a.m. – Better mapping puts the Microwave Tower Fire burning near Mosier at an estimated 700 acres as firefighters made additional progress on Tuesday, July 23.
With lower wind speeds and subdued fire behavior, crews worked to secure more of the fire’s east end with hand line, dozer line, and water drops from helicopters and other air resources.
The fire continued to back down on a north-facing ridge along I-84 just west of Mosier and will likely do so through today. Smoke can be observed along the highway.
Overnight, crews were expected to work towards hooking in line with hand crews and dozers along the eastern and southern edges of the fire footprint while structural firefighters will continue to assess and further secure homes.
“A big shoutout to Land Electric and Halseth Excavating for setting up three generators at the senior center and sending a diesel fuel tanker around the community filling resident's generators and critical infrastructure,” a post from the Wasco County Sheriff states.
The Mosier Senior Center at 500 E 2nd Avenue is open from dawn to dusk as a cooling center, device charging center, and a filling station for ice water.
“ Also, many thanks to the numerous volunteers who have dropped everything to show up and lend a hand wherever needed,” the post stated.
A view of the fire from Washington looking past Hood River - courtesy Columbia Gorge Fires.
This morning at 6 a.m., the Type 1 Great Basin Team 6 was expected to assume command of the fire. The incident command post will be at the Hood River High School. Public information officers with the team will receive inquiries about both the nearby Whiskey Creek and Microwave Tower fires.
Weather conditions favor firefighters today as the National Weather Service is calling for a high of 81 in Mosier with winds between 7 and 16 mph.
Evacuations
Evacuation levels remain in place. An estimated 100 homes are under Level 3 evacuations and 500 residences are threatened in the Mosier area. The gymnasium at the Hood River Middle School is a designated Red Cross Shelter for those evacuated.
LEVEL 3 - GO NOW! Evacuate immediately from Hwy 30 south the Proctor Rd., east to Huskey Rd and the border of the City of Mosier and west to the Hood River County line.
LEVEL 2 - GET SET from the City of Mosier and Huskey Rd., south to Wilson Rd., and east to Mosier Creek Rd.
LEVEL 1 - GET READY from Mosier Creek Rd., east to Dry Creek Rd., north to the City of Mosier border and south to Osborn Cutoff Rd.
For the most up-to-date evacuation information, please visit the Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff/
Linda Steider captured this photo of the Whiskey Creek Fire.
Whiskey Creek Fire
The Whisky Creek Fire is burning five miles southeast of Cascade Locks in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness is estimated at 165 acres.
The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are issuing a joint emergency closure for the fire area, according to the Columbia Gorge Wildland Information Page.
Closures
• Developed Recreation Sites: Rainy Lake Campground, Black Lake Campground, Wahtum Lake Campgrounds, Indian Springs Trailhead, Warren Lake Trailhead, Wahtum Lake Trailhead, Mt. Defiance South Trailhead, Wyeth Trailhead, and Herman Creek Trailhead
• Trails: Gorge #400, Herman Creek #406, Herman Bridge #406E, Gorton Creek #408, Wyeth #411, Green Point Ridge #418, Deadwood #422, North Lake #423, Rainy Lake #423A, Ridge Cut-off #437, and Nick Eaton #447
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