Gresham firefighters have joined the battle against the ever-growing Microwave Tower Wildfire, which sparked Monday, July 22, outside of Mosier.
As of Wednesday morning, July 24, officials report the fire has grown to 704 acres. It continues to back down on a north-facing ridge along Interstate 84, just west of Mosier, causing travel disruptions and smokey conditions.
The fire, which is of unknown origin, continues to creep closer to the Columbia River Gorge.
Type 1 Great Basin Team 6 has command of the collection of fire departments on the scene, which includes Gresham personnel and apparatus as part of a Multnomah County Task Force, alongside Portland, Corbett and Sauvie Island Fire. That crew has been on the road for 14 days, supporting Larch Creek, Cow Valley, Lone Rock and now Microwave Tower Fire.
Firefighters are securing more of the fire’s east end with hand line, dozer line and water drops from helicopters. Others are hooking in line with hand crews and dozers along the eastern and southern edges of the fire footprint, while structural firefighters are assessing and securing nearby homes.
All of the fire resources are being based out of a command post at Hood River High School, which is also addressing the nearby Whiskey Creek Fire. Evacuation levels remain in place for about 100 homes under Level 3 orders and 500 residences threatened in the Mosier-area. The Hood River Middle School gym is serving as a Red Cross Shelter.
Evacuation orders include:
Level 3 — Go Now from Highway 30 south of Proctor Road, east to Huskey Road and the border of the city of Mosier, and west to the Hood River County line.Level 2 — Get Set from the city of Mosier and Huskey Road, south to Wilson Road, and east to Mosier Creek RoadLevel 1 — Get Ready from Mosier Creek Road, east to Dry Creek Road, north to the city of Mosier border and south to Osborn Cutoff Road.
For up-to-date info on evacuations, follow the Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page.
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