Mosier Fire

A fast-growing wildfire is spreading out to about 800 acres since Thursday night in the town of Mosier in Northern Oregon and its 480 residents and they were asked to voluntarily evacuate the area as smoke wrapped the Gorge town. The fire is being called microwave fire because it started burning near microwave towers in the east part of Hood River County late Thursday.

The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center for the people of affected area at the Hood River Middle School, 1602 May St. The Oregon State Police are actively sending resources to help in evacuation efforts of the approximately 450 residents.

Governor Theodore Kulongoski is calling for help from fire agencies across the state and he has declared that this is an uncontrollable forest fire which hardly clears the way for the state fire marshal to assemble firefighters and equipment to support local resources fighting against the fire. FEMA has also approved funds to help in the struggle. Fire crews from five Oregon counties are trying to overcome fire flames.

The fire started in Hood River County around 8:30 p.m. Thursday and approached Wasco County overnight; and at least 12 houses has been saved from burning. Jeff Pritchard, Cascade Locks Fire Chief declared that fire crews saved two houses late Thursday night. Crews told KGW there was one person still inside when firefighters arrived. Gresham Fire & Emergency Services has sent an engine, while Corbett also add by sending a water tender and a brush unit.

Officials are worried about the cause of the fire, which was burning on steep hills that add amazing and remarkable scenery to Gorge and which also form a subway for high winds but at the time it’s more important to control the fire rather than to think about its reasoning.