A firefighter sprays water from hose onto smoldering hillside during mop-up operations at the Tunnel 5 Fire area on July 6, 2023.
Courtesy Washington State Department of Natural Resources
As of Sunday morning, the Tunnel 5 Fire burning in Skamania County in Southwest Washington was 65% contained, according to a fire update provided by the interagency Southwest Washington Fire Information Facebook page.
The fire has burned 559 acres. The fire response team includes 10 firefighting crews with 24 fire engines, four helicopters and six water tenders. Washington State Route 14 remains closed between mile markers 56 to 65 due to the fire.
On Saturday, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office reduced evacuation levels for all Tunnel 5 Fire affected areas to Level 1. According to the sheriff’s office, a level 1 notice indicates for residents to be ready in the event that an evacuation is necessary.
The fire began a week ago in the unincorporated area of Underwood across from Hood River. Crews have made steady progress in containing the fire. On Tuesday, containment was at 5%.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Officials said warming temperatures and higher wind speeds will return to the region next week, which could increase fire activity within the perimeter of the blaze.