Oregon wildfire updates: Burdoin Fire erupts in Columbia Gorge, closes Highway 14 west
A new wildfire erupted on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge on the afternoon of July 18, which has brought evacuation warnings and closed westbound Highway 14.
The Burdoin Fire has burned 250 acres just east of White Salmon and appears to be growing.
The new fire followed an active day for wildfires. Oregon's largest wildfire grew to 94,000 acres, a fire in Grants Pass brought new evacuations and the Anvil Fire brought evacuations near Mount Hood.
Here's the latest on the major wildfires burning around Oregon.
Fast-moving wildfire near Bingen, Washington
A rapidly expanding wildfire has broken out east of Bingen, Washington, near Lyle and White Salmon. The Burdoin Fire started near Highway 14 milepost 68 and has quickly grown to 250 acres, officials said.
Highway 14 westbound is closed at milepost 14.
Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders have been issued.
An evacuation map can be found at here: tinyurl.com/ytecezdz
Cram Fire in central Oregon nears megafire status, community meeting planned
The Cram Fire in Wasco and Jefferson counties grew increasingly close to becoming Oregon's first megafire of the season.
The blaze burning north of Madras reached 94,293 acres, according to a morning report on July 18. A megafire is one that burns more than 100,000 acres.
A community meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on July 18 at Jefferson High School in Madras.
Firefighters continue to secure lines and extinguish hot spots south of Highway 293. In the southern perimeter, units will reinforce and open the line finished by excavators, improving the line and its ability to contain the fire, the report said.
Available units of wildland and structure fire were sent to help, supported by aircraft. Near the Trout River, smoke and heat continue to be a challenge for units working to limit the fire's movement southward.
Air quality in Madras remains moderate as of July 18, and improved to moderate in Prineville and has improved to good in the Bend and Redmond area.
A red flag warning remains in effect July 18, meaning the fire is likely to grow, but cooler temperatures are expected to tamp the blaze down over the weekend.
The forecast shows an increased chance of rain for July 21 or July 22 but not enough to extinguish the fire.
Widespread evacuations are still in effect. Jefferson and Wasco County sheriffs have extended level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations in several areas.
An evacuation map for Jefferson County can be found at: tinyurl.com/JCSOEvacMap.
An evacuation map for Wasco County can be found at: tinyurl.com/WascoCountyEvacMap.
A Red Cross evacuation shelter is available at Jefferson County Middle School, 1180 SE Kemper Way in Madras.
Board Shanty Fire brings evacuation warnings in Grants Pass
The Board Shanty Fire ignited the evening of July 17 just south of Grants Pass and brought evacuations to the southern Oregon town.
Fire crews said the blaze had reached 300 acres by the morning of July 18.
Overnight, crews established 5,000 feet of handline along Board Shanty Road on the northeast perimeter of the fire to slow growth at the head.
Crews are now working to connect line from the head to the heel of the fire with the assistance of aviation, a July 18 report said.
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has extended level 1 and 2 evacuations in several areas. Additionally, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office has placed new areas under a level 1 evacuation notice. For the latest updates, go to protect.genasys.com.
Anvil Fire leads to evacuation from Anvil Lake area
Mount Hood firefighters and a hand crew from the Willamette National Forest are working to contain a small 3-acre blaze that broke out on July 17, called the Anvil Fire.
Willamette National Forest hand crew created a fire line around the perimeter of the fire on July 18. Hard work from firefighters combined with favorable conditions have kept the Anvil Fire small and personnel are optimistic. On the afternoon of July 18, the Forest Service issued what it expects to be its last update on the situation.
Crews have begun mop-up operations, using hand tools and water to extinguish 'hot spots' along the fire's perimeter.
Law enforcement previously evacuated the Anvil Lake Trail. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office issued a level 3 evacuation notice for a 2-mile radius around Dinger Lake, including Anvil Lake, northwest of Timothy Lake.
The fire is not expected to impact visitors to Timothy Lake, but people are asked to stay near the lakeshore if they see aircraft dipping from the lake.
For more information, go to fs.usda.gov/r06/mthood/fire.
Hagelstein Fire at 13% containment in Klamath County
Very warm temperatures and dry conditions continue over the Hagelstein fire in Klamath County.
Strong wind gusts are expected to reach 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon, keeping firefighters on high alert. The blaze had reached 672 acres and was at 13% containment as of July 18.
On the east side of the fire, the handline completed by night shift held strong, preventing the fire from crossing the fireline. Fire crews are performing fuel reduction and grading on roads to strengthen contingency lines and improve access for firefighters.
Areas of smoke can be expected in the Klamath Basin, and air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups at times.
For air quality information, go to oregonsmoke.org.
Rose Shimberg is an outdoors journalism intern at the Statesman Journal. Reach her at rshimberg@salem.gannett.com
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at oregonoutdoors.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfire updates: Burdoin Fire erupts in Columbia Gorge
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Oregon K9 teams to aid in search for missing Texas flood victims
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two local K9 teams are joining others from across the country to aid in the search for those lost during the catastrophic Texas floods. According to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, their K9 teams, made up of volunteer handlers and their dogs, are being deployed at the request of Texas state officials. Cram Fire approaches megafire status, crosses 90K acres The floods originally began just before daybreak on July 4, when destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet on the Guadalupe River, washing away homes and vehicles. The waters laid waste to the and an all-girls Christian summer camp, Camp Mystic, lost at least 27 campers and counselors. So far, officials estimate the floods have killed over 132 people. After search operations were temporarily paused due to threats of more flooding in the area, FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue teams fully resumed operations on Monday, Here is where extreme drought can now be found in Oregon At a news conference the same day, authorities said 101 people remain missing, including 97 in the Kerrville area. The other four were swept away in other counties. Swift water rescue teams have also been sent to Uvalde, Del Rio and Concan in anticipation of possible flooding in those communities on the Frio River, officials added. 'This is incredibly difficult work, but it's also profoundly important,' said Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley. 'Our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the communities facing unimaginable loss. We're honored to lend our support however we can.' The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
7 days ago
- USA Today
Cram Fire in Oregon rages as it nears megafire status
Firefighters in central Oregon worked Monday to gain control over a massive blaze that has triggered evacuations, destroyed four homes and threatened hundreds of other buildings. The Cram Fire, which has become the largest wildfire this year, has charred 150 square miles of land, an area larger than the size of Las Vegas. The blaze broke out on July 13 and burned for several days before undergoing explosive growth fueled by strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity. It was at 49% containment as of Sunday, July 20. The fire ignited near Willowdale, a sparsely populated area about 133 miles southeast of Portland, and swept through grasslands and rangeland in the region, fire officials said. The cause of the blaze is unclear and remains under investigation, officials said. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place across at least three counties, including Jefferson, Wasco and Crook County, according to the Central Oregon Fire Information. In a statement on July 20, fire officials said they anticipate cooler weather, possible rain and higher humidity to "moderate fire behavior."
USA Today
21-07-2025
- USA Today
Cram Fire in Oregon, the nation's largest blaze in 2025, nears megafire status
The Cram Fire in central Oregon became the nation's largest wildfire this year as the blaze neared 100,000 acres on July 20, destroying four homes and threatening hundreds of structures, authorities said. The fire, which broke out on July 13, exploded in size over recent days after hot and dry conditions and gusty winds increased wildfire risks in parts of the state. Fire crews were challenged during the week by changing wind directions and rugged, steep terrain, but cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels over the weekend are expected to help firefighting efforts. By 9 a.m. local time on July 20, the fire had expanded to 95,748 acres and was 49% contained, according to the Central Oregon Fire Information. The size of the fire was "slightly reduced" from July 19 after "more accurate mapping" was completed, officials said on the fire's information page. "Crews are building on the progress made yesterday and overnight," according to a July 20 update on the fire's information page. "Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are creating better conditions for mop-up work, especially along the fire perimeter and around structures." The fire ignited near Willowdale, a sparsely populated area about 133 miles southeast of Portland, and swept through grasslands and rangeland in the region, fire officials said. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Local authorities in Jefferson, Wasco, and Crook counties have issued evacuation orders or warnings across multiple zones. A total of four residences and two other structures were destroyed in the fire, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The Cram Fire is one of at least 46 active wildfires, most of which have been contained, in Oregon, according to the state's fires and hotspots dashboard. The fire also leads the list of wildfire incidents in 2025, followed by the Madre Fire in central California that has burned nearly 81,000 acres, according to InciWeb, a federal government wildfire tracker. Arizona wildfire: The Grand Canyon fire exploded in size, catching officials off guard. Why? Cram Fire nears megafire status as officials warn of worsening wildfire conditions The Cram Fire has grown increasingly close to becoming Oregon's first megafire of the season. A megafire is defined by the National Interagency Fire Center as a wildfire that burns more than 100,000 acres of land. Fire officials said more than 900 personnel were responding to the blaze in addition to 88 fire engines, 18 handcrews, and eight helicopters. The Central Oregon Fire Information noted on July 20 that while fire behavior has moderated, crews continued to focus on gridding near the fire's perimeter and reducing materials that have the potential of fueling spot fires. "Yesterday was another favorable day with us with the weather, and so a lot of good work was done," Scott Stutzman, operations section chief of the Oregon State Fire Marshal, said in a video update on July 20. "We'll have those crews out there continuing to maintain a presence mopping up, and also assisting our wildland partners on the perimeter." On July 16, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency that will last through the end of the year "due to the imminent threat of wildfire." Multiple large wildfires have already exploded in 2025, largely east of the Cascade Range, according to the Salem Statesman Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Oregon's wildfire danger is forecast to remain above normal through summer, the Salem Statesman Journal reported. "Oregon is already experiencing a devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences," Kotek said in a news release. "The summer is only getting hotter, drier, and more dangerous – we have to be prepared for worsening conditions." See maps: Which cities are experiencing poor air quality from wildfires? 'Fire activity is high across the country' The National Interagency Fire Center warned on July 20 that "fire activity is high across the country," adding that there are 91 large, uncontained wildfires. "Nearly 18,000 wildland firefighters and support personnel are on the ground nationwide," the center said in an update. "In 2025 thus far, there have been 40,934 total wildfires, for a combined acreage of 2,850,245." Hot, dry, and windy weather continues to fuel wildfire conditions across parts of the Northwest, Great Basin, and Southwest, according to the center. The center added that some areas were forecast to see wind gusts over 40 mph and low humidity levels "dropping into the single digits." The center noted that each year, thousands of wildfires in the United States are caused by people. "Major causes of these fires include loss of control of debris burning, unattended or unextinguished campfires, and sparks or heat transfer from vehicles and equipment like chainsaws or recreational vehicles," the center said. Contributing: Zach Urness and Rose Shimberg, Salem Statesman Journal
