Single Publication

Tunnel Five Fire
July 6, 2023
Daily Fire Update

Tunnel Five Fire Quick Facts
Size: 556 acres | Origin: 2.25 mi W of White Salmon | Containment: 5% |  Cause: Under Investigation | Total personnel: 461

| Start Date: July 2, 2023 | WA Resources: 39 engines;10 crews; 5 helicopters 6 dozers, 14 water tenders.

Weather: Temperatures today will trend a little cooler, ranging from 89-92 over the fire area with relative humidities of 20-25%. West winds this morning will be 8-12 mph gusting to 20 mph, increasing this afternoon to 14-18 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Operations: The fire was active yesterday on the western edge, creating a spot fire in heavy fuels outside the fire perimeter. Fire crews quickly built line around this new spot fire, catching it at 1/3 acre. Firefighters also began construction of direct control lines in the steep terrain along the western fire perimeter, building line uphill from Highway 14. Helicopters with water buckets, fixed wing “fire bosses,” and CL-415 scooper planes assisted ground crews, cooling and slowing the fire spread on the western flank. Fire crews also began preparation work on indirect contingency lines farther west. Firefighters worked to prepare structures in the western portion of the fire in anticipation of increased winds over the next few days. Fire crews worked on hoselays around the eastern end of the fire and patrolled the roads above and below the fire.

Fire crews will continue to work today building direct control lines on the western fire perimeter. Firefighters will be patrolling Highway 14 and mopping up around the old mill site and the Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery. Fire engines will patrol along the Cook-Underwood Road, mopping up and securing containment lines. On the eastern fire edge, fire crews will continue to improve containment lines and construct hoselays to deliver water around this portion of the fire. Helicopters, scooper planes, and “fire boss” fixed-wing air tankers will continue to be utilized as needed to cool and slow the fire spread. Initial Attack resources remain ready to rapidly shift assignments if necessary to assist local agencies with any new fire starts in the area.

Safety and Closures: Washington State Route 14 remains closed between mile markers 56-65 due to fire activity. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the Tunnel Five Fire area. Wildland fires are a “no fly zone” for drones. If you fly, WE CAN’T. Smoke and aircraft are visible within the I-84 corridor. Travelers should use caution; recreationalists and boaters in the Columbia River in this area should use extreme caution and avoid areas where aircraft are dipping in the river.

Evacuations: Skamania County evacuations changed at 8 AM this morning. A reduced Level 3 Evacuation remains in place around the fire and there are now Level 2 evacuations on the eastern and western edges of 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 Drive, Stevenson, WA.