Single Publication

SE Washington Incident Management Team 1

Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson / Ryan Nicholls, Trainee

TUNNEL FIVE INCIDENT FACTS

Incident Start Date and Time: July 2, 2023 11:19AM

Location and Jurisdiction: Skamania County Fire District 3

Size: 533 acres

Containment: 0%

CURRENT SITUATION

Skamania County Firefighters responded to reports of a wildfire yesterday, July 2 at approximately 11:19AM. Hot, windy conditions coupled with extreme terrain led to rapid fire spread into the afternoon.

SE Washington Incident Management Team 1 arrived and assumed command of the fire last night. The fire was active throughout the night but stayed within its footprint along much of the perimeter with moderate growth on the west flank, west of tunnel five.

More firefighting resources from numerous agencies are arriving throughout the day. Priorities are to provide for public and firefighter safety while protecting structures, critical infrastructure, and natural resource values at risk.

Firefighters are engaging in a full-suppression effort to maintain the fire east of Drano Lake, south of the east/west portion of Cook-Underwood Rd., west of the north/south portion of Cook Underwood Rd., and north of the Columbia River.

Many different aircraft will be working on the fire today as well utilizing the Columbia River for water.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Skamania and surrounding counties in effect until 2300 Wednesday for very dry and significantly unstable conditions for fire weather.

EVACUATIONS:

Level 3 Evacuations "GO NOW" have been issued for a two-mile radius around the fire. Visit Skamania County Sheriff's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SkamaniaSheriff for more info. A shelter for evacuees has been set up at Skamania County Fairgrounds, 710 SW Rock Creek Dr., Stevenson, WA. Level 1 "GET READY" evacuations are in effect for Klickitat County east of the fire. Visit

https://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management for more details.

State Route 14 is closed between mile markers 53-63.

Wildland fires are a "no fly zone" for drones. If you fly, WE CAN'T. Smoke and aircraft are visible within the 1-84 corridor. Travelers should use caution; recreationalists and boaters in the Columbia River in this area should use extreme caution and avoid areas with aircraft dipping in the river.