Fire Watch

Late yesterday (Sunday) morning, a wildfire started just a few miles west of here along the railroad tracks near Tunnel 5 (mile 61) on highway 14 that follows the Columbia River from Vancouver east up the Gorge - perhaps sparked by a passing train - and quickly burned up to the top of the bluff and beyond. We saw the smoke when we left the house at noon to go visit the new baby. 

Fire crews worked on it all day yesterday, including a whole fleet (at least 7) of aircraft dropping water or chemical retardant on the blaze. 

The community of Underwood (we can see Underwood mountain from our house, just west of the White Salmon River) was evacuated, and some houses have been burned. 

Crews have been working hard to keep the fire west of the White Salmon River but as of 11pm last night it was officially 0% contained. If it jumped the river, it would quickly burn up the bluff into White Salmon itself. Lots of houses there, and we're only about a mile from the river as the crow flies. 

The wind quieted down last night but this morning the air is full of smoke. We expect the planes to show up before long, Fortunately, only light winds are forecast for today, so I'm hopeful they'll be able to begin to contain the fire, which at last report yesterday was 315 acres and growing. 

https://thenwfireblog.com/2023/07/02/new-tunnel-5-fire-washington-state/