Fire by The Dalles prompts evacuations, partial I-84 closure; blaze 60% contained



THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a fire was threatening homes about six miles east of The Dalles and closed a 20-mile stretch of Interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge for a short time.


Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue said on Twitter the fire started at 5:35 p.m. Thursday and went from I-84 uphill to 15 Mile Road. As of Thursday night fire officials said an estimated 2,800 acres had burned and the fire was 60 percent contained.

Authorities closed I-84 from Biggs Junction to The Dalles in both directions at about 9 p.m. Thursday. It reopened at least partially by 11 p.m.

Wasco County emergency manager Juston Huffman says people in Celilo Village and on 15 Mile and Old Moody roads were issued a level three evacuation notice, which means people should leave their residences immediately. About 10 structures were threatened. The American Red Cross was opening a shelter in The Dalles for people who had evacuated.

Officials say 66 firefighters and others were on the scene from multiple agencies including Hood River, the Oregon Department of Forestry, Klickitat County and the Bureau of Land Management.