Single Publication

Big Horn Fire

3:00 PM, July 23, 2024

Estimated size:                    14,099 acres

Containment:                        1%

Start Date/Time:                7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM

Area of Origin:                     7 miles SE of Bickleton, WA

Cause:                         Undetermined

Structures Damaged:   0

The Big Horn fire is burning near the town of Bickleton in Klickitat County, Washington. The fire started at approximately 1:07 PM yesterday afternoon and was driven by windy and dry conditions. At 07:00 AM this morning, a Southeast Incident Management Team Type 3 (SEIMT3) took command of the fire.

This morning, new crews began to work the fire, in three separate Divisions. The fire continues to threaten residential and agricultural properties, critical infrastructure, and the natural gas plant. A night shift operation is planned for tonight to continue today’s progress.  The public is urged to stay clear of the fire, downed power lines, and any other hazards within the fire area.  

Evacuation levels have been added by the Klickitat County Sherriff’s Office to include new Level 1 areas, additional Level 2 and expansion of the Level 3 areas adjacent to the fire perimeter. This was instituted as a precautionary measure to improve notifications to residents and citizens if conditions change. An updated map has been published by Klickitat County Emergency Mangement.

Road Closures: East Road is closed from the Town of Bickleton south to Hale Rd.

Evacuation Levels:

As of 7/23/2024 at 12:30 PM and most current: 

Level 3 "GO NOW" for North of Alder Creek, West to Crider Valley, East to Peterson; and from East Road to Sand Ridge Rd to the East and Alder Creek south to the Columbia River. 

Level 2 "GET SET" for Middle Rd to the West, Coleman Rd to the North, Klickitat County Line to the East; and from Sand Ridge Rd to the Klickitat County Line.

Level 1 "GET READY" Evacuation for North of Coleman Rd to Stegeman and Van Horn, West to East Rd, East to Klickitat County Line.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Dry weather continues throughout the day with 0% chance of rain.  Daytime humidities remain low and winds continue to be around 5-10 mph. 

Smoke: While there are no current air quality alerts for Klickitat County, communities close to active wildfires could see air quality worsen as the fire and wind conditions change. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: Washington Smoke Information (wasmoke.blogspot.com) 

Shelter: There are no shelters currently. If you need shelter, please call Klickitat County Dispatch at 509-773-4545.

Resources: Multiple overhead, strikes teams, aircraft and dozers are currently responding to the fire. 

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