Fire crews are continuing to battle a wildfire near Sevenmile Hill, west of The Dalles. The fire had burned 100 acres by Wednesday evening, according to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office.
The office Thursday lowered evacuation notices from Level 3 “go now” to Level 1 “get ready” for Sevenmile Hill Road along Chenoweth Road to Browns Creek Road for nearby residents.
It has also lifted evacuations notices that were set from Browns Creek Road to the 4500 block of Cherry Heights Road. The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents to stay alert in case of changes in weather or fire conditions.
The Sevenmile Hill Fire is burning near where the Mosier Creek Fire flared up last week. The Oregon Department of Forestry said initial resources from that fire, and a Type 2 helicopter have been requested to assist local fire departments.
The Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at the National Guard Readiness Center at 402 E. Scenic Drive in The Dalles.
Those impacted by the Sevenmile Hill Fire can receive Red Cross assistance at the National Guard Readiness Center located at 402 E. Scenic Dr, in The Dalles. Red Cross volunteers are on hand to provide support and immediate basic needs to those evacuated from their homes. pic.twitter.com/m01tlALQeA
— Red Cross Cascades (@RedCrossCasc) August 20, 2020
Officials have issued red flag warnings throughout the state for fire danger due to hot, dry and windy conditions, along with dry thunderstorms.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency Wednesday afternoon due to the increasing threats of wildfires across the state. Brown has tapped the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management to ensure fire crews have the appropriate resources.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued a similar statewide emergency proclamation Wednesday.
The National Interagency Fire Center counted 17 large wildfires Wednesday burning in Washington and Oregon.