Gorge Fires Sept. 6, 2017

Eagle Creek Fire Complex. Wed. Sept. 6, 2017, 12:30 p.m. See info on railroads at end of this article.

Eagle Creek and Indian Creek fires have grown together. Fire now 30,929 acres. 602 people working on the fire. Five helicopters are dropping water. Today near Cascade Locks, OR fire personnel will be conducting burning operations to remove fuels between the bulldozer lines and the fire edge.

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They have evacuated 1,822 people per the Level 3 evacuation orders (which means ‘leave immediately’). One residential structure and four outbuildings have burned. Multnomah Falls Lodge is being protected. Evacuation centers are at Skamania County Fairgrounds in Stevenson, WA and at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR.

In WA, Archer Mountain Fire now at 112 acres; it was started by embers from the Eagle Creek Fire. A new fire, calledBear Creek Fire, broke out north of Carson, estimated at 20 to 25 acres. It is burning in Carson’s watershed.

I-84: The Dalles westbound open only to passenger and local commercial vehicles. Westbound and eastbound closed from west Hood River exit to Troutdale. The status could change today.

WA SR14: closed to commercial truck traffic, over 10,000 gross vehicle weight, from Washougal to Dallesport. Due to I-84 closure expect increased traffic. Parking on the shoulders both directions is prohibited except in emergency situations. Use caution and expect delays.

Bob Hamlin, Skamania County Commissioner said, “Unfortunately, we won’t be out of this situation until the rains come. The forests have gotten heavily fueled. Now with climate change, this will only get worse.” He’s concerned about the BPA, phone, rail, and gas lines, and about erosion once rains begin.

Daniel Bardes

Yesterday at the Skamania County Fairgrounds , Red Cross Disaster relief volunteer Vicky Wessling told us there were 20 people inside in a meeting room being used as a dormitory. Outside there are 60 to 70 vehicles, many RVs and people in tents. They have put people’s pets in a special facility at the fairgrounds; local children have volunteered to take care of them. RC has a nurse onsite.

The Bardes family from Cascade Locks is one of the families in tents: Daniel Bardes, his wife, their two children 6 and 7, and their dog. Daniel said, “The kids are saying, ‘We get to go camping.'”  The family took precautions with important papers. He says he’s not too worried about their home, because firefighters’ first priority is to protect structures.
Wed. 9-6-2017. 5:30 p.m. BNSF railroad 

Many Gorge residents are asking why oil and coal trains are running through the Gorge right now. The Eagle Creek Fire sent sparks and embers across the Columbia River and started a fire on Archer Mountain. It a natural question what would happen if some landed on the railroad tracks or in the open coal cars.

“We shut down yesterday morning: holding ten trains,” said Gus Melonas, BNSF spokesman. “Later that day we got the green light; there were no threats, and we restarted.” Since then, BNSF has been running 40 trains (including Amtrak) a day through the Gorge, but for the duration of the fire, BNSF will not hold trains at either the Stevenson or Cook sidings.

Melonas said the railroad has enhanced the inspection process as well having ground crews watching for any threats, and positioned fire trains in the Gorge. The company is in regular contact with relevant fire agencies. He emphasized the investment the company has made upgrading track, ties and equipment.

“The protection of our employees, the passengers riding the trains, the communities we pass through, the commodities we haul, and the environment are our top priorities,” Melonas said. “If any are threatened, we will take steps to ensure their utmost safety.”

To report any issues to BNSF: 800-832-5452.