Brown invokes emergency act as Mosier Creek Fire spreads

Oregon Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act Wednesday night in response to the growing Mosier Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge.

CAMEROON MAGAZINE - GM13/08/20202 Mins read66 Views

Evening sunlight filters through smoke from the Mosier Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge, Aug. 12, 2020. (Courtesy of Hood River volunteer firefighter Chrystal Akin-Bruce)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act Wednesday night in response to the growing Mosier Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge.

The emergency measure authorizes the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal to mobilize resources to help local crews battling the fire. The act is invoked when officials decide that a potentially deadly fire is beyond the means of local firefighting capabilities.

Brown said residents of Osburne Cutoff, Vensel, Catron, Dry Creek, Carroll, Morgenson, and from Chenoweth Airport to Vensel/Ketchum road are on Level 3 “GO” evacuations.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office said residents at the intersection of Dry Creek across Seven Mile to Foley Lakes intersection, back up to Chenoweth Road West to Chenoweth Airport are in Level 2 “GET READY” and all of Browns Creek Road from Chenoweth to Wells roads are under Level 1 orders. They later added everyone east of State Road from Evergreen Terrace to Dry Creek Road to the Level 2 orders.

The Oregon Department of Forestry said the fire was reported about eight miles southeast of Hood River just southeast of Mosier at 4:30 p.m. Officials estimated that at 7:30 p.m. the fire — named the Mosier Creek Fire — had reached about 200 acres in size.

Evacuees can head to The Shilo Inn in The Dalles at 3223 Bret Clodfelter Way. Large animal evacuation resources can be accessed through the Alpine Veterinary Hospital at 541.386.6658.

“With high temperatures and weather conditions helping fires grow quickly, I have invoked an emergency declaration to make more state resources available to the fire crews on the front lines in Wasco County and the Columbia River Gorge at the Mosier Creek fire,” Brown said. “I ask Oregonians to remember that preventing wildfires is critical this year, especially as we have fire crews on the frontlines during this pandemic. Be cautious and honor all burn bans, and keep our fire crews in your thoughts as they fight to protect our communities and the landscapes that surround them.”

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Fir Mountain Fire, which began August 1 about 8 miles east of Hood River, reached full containment on Wednesday, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The ODF said crews used handheld infrared cameras on Monday night to hunt down any remaining heat sources, then worked on those hot spots Tuesday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Sometimes in the month of August, we can experience some terrible conditions when it comes to fueling wildfires.

This week, although a bit dry and breezy, there will be minimal lightning and the wind won’t’ be out of control. However, there will be some moments that we need to discuss in the forecast, for those of you who plan to go camping or live in these hot spots.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Fir Mountain Fire, which began August 1 about 8 miles east of Hood River, was human caused, officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry said.

The point of origin was located and investigators said the fire, which has so far cost more than $3 million to fight, was « human caused. » Anyone with information is urged to call the Oregon State Police Tip Line at 800.452.7888.

Source: https://www.koin.com/news/wildfires/evacuations-ordered-due-to-gorge-fire-near-mosier/