By: Associated Press and weather.com
Published: August 20,2013
THE DALLES, Ore. -- Strong winds in the Columbia River Gorge fanned
an Oregon wildfire burning across nearly 8 square miles, forcing the
evacuation of dozens of buildings Monday while other residents waited to
hear if they were going to have to leave.
The Government Flats Complex of fires was burning in hilly country near The Dalles, a Columbia River city that's a favorite hangout for windsurfers. Officials said about 55 structures were ordered evacuated. It wasn't clear how many of those were homes.
(MORE: The Dalles, Ore. Forecast | See How Firenadoes Form)
The wildfire is the latest to grab the attention of regional fire crews as hot, dry weather persists across the West. However, that will change soon and it may not be a good thing.
"Thunderstorms the next few days in southern Oregon and Idaho may be slow-moving, providing welcome rain. However, if the rain is too heavy, it can cause debris flows on burn areas," said weather.com Senior Meteorologist Jon Erdman. "So, some areas can go from fire to flood in the span of days." (done)
In Idaho, authorities slowly were allowing evacuees to return to homes that days ago were deemed at risk from a big and erratic wildfire burning near the affluent resort towns of Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley.
"The weather ahead is a classic 'Catch 22'," said Erdman. "You need rain, but the only way that typically happens this time of year is from thunderstorms."
The Blaine County sheriff ended the mandatory evacuation order for up
to 250 homes. Most of those residences are in subdivisions on the east
side of the main highway connecting these communities and are farthest
from the 160-square-mile Beaver Creek Fire, ignited by lightning Aug. 7.
About 1,150 firefighters, including elite teams known as Hotshots, looked to reinforce fire lines with the help of 14 helicopters and likely other aircraft. The fire was about 8 percent contained.
In Northern California, erratic winds fanned a wildfire that threatened more than 300 structures in rural Butte County. But the hundreds who evacuated from homes over the weekend were allowed to return as containment lines expanded.
The 3-square-mile fire just outside Bangor was 64 percent contained. So far, one residence, a garage and three outbuildings have been destroyed since the blaze broke out Friday, said Capt. Scott McLean of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Another wildfire on Monday forced the shutdown of a highway that serves as a busy gateway to Yosemite National Park.
The wildfire in the Stanislaus National Forest crossed State Route 120, shutting down the roadway in both directions. No westbound traffic was being allowed out of Yosemite, and people trying to get in were being told to use alternate routes.
(MORE: Fire Risk May Rise More as Climate Warms)
In Montana, two lightning-caused fires burning west of the community of Lolo grew rapidly Monday, burning homes and leading authorities to issue evacuation notices and warnings to residents to be ready to flee.
Firefighters confirmed that homes had been damaged, but they were not immediately able to verify how many, the Missoulian reported.
Voluntary evacuations were in effect and homeowners in the Bear Creek area were given notice to be ready to flee if the fire spreads. Lolo is about 20 miles southwest of Missoula, Mont.
In Utah, fire officials lifted an evacuation Monday for about 100 residents in Rockport Estates and Rockport Ranches in Summit County, about 45 miles east of Salt Lake City.
They had been displaced since Tuesday when lightning ignited a fast-moving blaze that burned seven houses and one yurt in those subdivisions. The 3.1-square-mile fire was 90 percent contained.
Utah's biggest blaze, the Patch Springs Fire southwest of Salt Lake City, was 45 percent contained. The 50-square-mile blaze hasn't grown since Saturday.
The Columbia River Gorge is known for its strong winds - which is why it is a favorite among windsurfers and kiteboarders - and on Monday those winds fanned the Government Flats Complex of fires burning south of The Dalles.
Dozens of homeowners had been told to prepare for evacuation.
"It's a very flammable fuel right now, because it's been dried with lack of moisture, and it's also been heated from the heat coming up the slope," said fire supervisor Kelly Niles, overlooking a charred grassy field. "This stuff, here it's just ready to explode."
The Government Flats fire complex was 10 percent contained as of late Monday. One of two structures that burned Sunday had been used as a residence, fire spokesman David Morman said Monday.
One resident, 74-year-old Jake Grossmiller, packed up some photos, valuables and clothes for several days in case the evacuation order came.
He set up a sprinkler in his front yard and kept an eye on the smoke rising behind the hills.
"I'm feeling pretty safe," he said.
MORE: Photos from Western Wildfires
The Government Flats Complex of fires was burning in hilly country near The Dalles, a Columbia River city that's a favorite hangout for windsurfers. Officials said about 55 structures were ordered evacuated. It wasn't clear how many of those were homes.
(MORE: The Dalles, Ore. Forecast | See How Firenadoes Form)
The wildfire is the latest to grab the attention of regional fire crews as hot, dry weather persists across the West. However, that will change soon and it may not be a good thing.
"Thunderstorms the next few days in southern Oregon and Idaho may be slow-moving, providing welcome rain. However, if the rain is too heavy, it can cause debris flows on burn areas," said weather.com Senior Meteorologist Jon Erdman. "So, some areas can go from fire to flood in the span of days." (done)
In Idaho, authorities slowly were allowing evacuees to return to homes that days ago were deemed at risk from a big and erratic wildfire burning near the affluent resort towns of Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley.
"The weather ahead is a classic 'Catch 22'," said Erdman. "You need rain, but the only way that typically happens this time of year is from thunderstorms."
Each icon represents one of the dozens of large fires currently burning across the West.
About 1,150 firefighters, including elite teams known as Hotshots, looked to reinforce fire lines with the help of 14 helicopters and likely other aircraft. The fire was about 8 percent contained.
In Northern California, erratic winds fanned a wildfire that threatened more than 300 structures in rural Butte County. But the hundreds who evacuated from homes over the weekend were allowed to return as containment lines expanded.
The 3-square-mile fire just outside Bangor was 64 percent contained. So far, one residence, a garage and three outbuildings have been destroyed since the blaze broke out Friday, said Capt. Scott McLean of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Another wildfire on Monday forced the shutdown of a highway that serves as a busy gateway to Yosemite National Park.
The wildfire in the Stanislaus National Forest crossed State Route 120, shutting down the roadway in both directions. No westbound traffic was being allowed out of Yosemite, and people trying to get in were being told to use alternate routes.
(MORE: Fire Risk May Rise More as Climate Warms)
In Montana, two lightning-caused fires burning west of the community of Lolo grew rapidly Monday, burning homes and leading authorities to issue evacuation notices and warnings to residents to be ready to flee.
Firefighters confirmed that homes had been damaged, but they were not immediately able to verify how many, the Missoulian reported.
Voluntary evacuations were in effect and homeowners in the Bear Creek area were given notice to be ready to flee if the fire spreads. Lolo is about 20 miles southwest of Missoula, Mont.
In Utah, fire officials lifted an evacuation Monday for about 100 residents in Rockport Estates and Rockport Ranches in Summit County, about 45 miles east of Salt Lake City.
They had been displaced since Tuesday when lightning ignited a fast-moving blaze that burned seven houses and one yurt in those subdivisions. The 3.1-square-mile fire was 90 percent contained.
Utah's biggest blaze, the Patch Springs Fire southwest of Salt Lake City, was 45 percent contained. The 50-square-mile blaze hasn't grown since Saturday.
The Columbia River Gorge is known for its strong winds - which is why it is a favorite among windsurfers and kiteboarders - and on Monday those winds fanned the Government Flats Complex of fires burning south of The Dalles.
Dozens of homeowners had been told to prepare for evacuation.
"It's a very flammable fuel right now, because it's been dried with lack of moisture, and it's also been heated from the heat coming up the slope," said fire supervisor Kelly Niles, overlooking a charred grassy field. "This stuff, here it's just ready to explode."
The Government Flats fire complex was 10 percent contained as of late Monday. One of two structures that burned Sunday had been used as a residence, fire spokesman David Morman said Monday.
One resident, 74-year-old Jake Grossmiller, packed up some photos, valuables and clothes for several days in case the evacuation order came.
He set up a sprinkler in his front yard and kept an eye on the smoke rising behind the hills.
"I'm feeling pretty safe," he said.
MORE: Photos from Western Wildfires
Ketchum, Idaho
A helicopter makes a drop on a dozer line
around a home to protect it from the Beaver Creek Fire on Sunday, Aug.
18, 2013 outside of Ketchum, Idaho. (AP Photo/Times-News, Ashley Smith)
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