The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office revised the Level III Evacuation to a Level II for residents on Obrist Road west of the intersection of Dutch Flat Road at Obrist Road, effective 8:00 AM, August 21st. Residents from that area should remain on alert, as conditions could change (The road will remain closed to non-resident traffic.
A third residence was confirmed to have been consumed by the fire. Five outbuildings have also been destroyed. Seventy-three homes and 80 other structures are still threatened.
Yesterday evening a community meeting was hosted in The Dalles by the Unified Command of the Government Flat Complex with 125 in attendance. Information was presented regarding the status of the fire, evacuations, and concerns of those attending. David Anderson from the Public Works Department addressed concerns about the water treatment facility and watershed.
The Blackburn Fire continued to grow in a westerly direction yesterday. It is currently estimated at 8446 acres. In the northeast corner the fire was burning slowly down slope into the Mill Creek drainage along Upper Mill Creek Road and South Fork drainage along Reservoir Road.
Firefighters are burning out vegetation along the bottom of the drainages to help secure the firelines. Burn-out operations are intended to burn the vegetation between established firelines and the active portion of the fire, resulting in a more secure, defensible control line.
Structural fire engines and firefighters are continuing to secure and remove vegetation around homes and protect structures along Upper Mill Creek and Reservoir Roads, as well as the water treatment plant. These roads remain closed to all but firefighters and support personnel.
Mt Hood National Forest Closures:
- Forest Road 1722 on the east end
- Forest Road 4430 at the 1720 junction
- Forest Road 160 at junction with 4440
- Forest Road 1720 at the east end
- Forest Road 17-660
- Forest Road 1711-630
The Knebal Springs Campground is inaccessible due to road closure on the 1720 Road
For more information regarding the Mt Hood National Forest click to their web site: Forest Service Notice
There are 823 firefighters and support personnel working the fire complex. Efforts are being supported by 29 hand crews, 27 engines (both wild land and structural), 9 helicopters, 11 dozers, and 8 water tenders. The National Guard has arrived with 3 additional helicopters. Three air tankers are available for today.
The fire complex is being managed under a unified command of Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 (Incident Commander, Chris Cline) and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Green Team (Incident Commander, John Ingrao).
Cooperators working the incidents include Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Office, BLM, City of The Dalles, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Wasco County Emergency Operations Center, American Red Cross, USDA Forest Service, Oregon National Guard and Oregon State Police.
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