Wildfires burning in The Dalles, Umatilla County

Published 3:30 pm Thursday, June 15, 2023

A wildfire that broke out Wednesday near The Dalles had grown to 150 acres and was 40% contained, officials said Thursday.

The Milepost 87 Fire, burning just east of U.S. Highway 197, destroyed three primary structures — one brick-and-mortar home and two mobile homes. Additionally, one mobile home, one outbuilding and two pump houses suffered damage from the fire, according to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office.

It prompted orders for immediate evacuation, Level 3 — Go.

All evacuation orders were lowered to Level 2 — Be Ready, on Thursday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Residents and staff at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles were told Wednesday to shelter in place because of the fire, the sheriff’s office reported.

Fire engines surrounded the structure to protect the building.

Crews from around 10 local and agencies responded to fight the blaze. Additionally, officials deployed several firefighting airplanes carrying water.

A Red Cross Shelter was established for affected residents.

In Umatilla County, the Hat Rock Fire had grown to 15,843 acres as of Thursday, according to the office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal. It’s burning along the Oregon side of the Columbia River and had crossed into the state of Washington south of Kennewick.

Updated mapping showed the Mount Hebron Fire had burned 370 acres near Pendleton, according to the state.

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