Containment for the Memaloose 2 Fire rose to 75% Tuesday afternoon. Crews are systematically working through the interior of the fire looking for heat and flames. The burn pattern of the fire left a mosaic of unburned fuels inside the perimeter which complicates mop-up as firefighters need to make sure unburned fuels will not be ignited by adjacent heat sources. Firefighters are also challenged by the steep terrain in areas. More than 100 firefighters are assigned to the fire and helicopters are also available if needed. Level 1 evacuation orders remain for the Rowena Dell area near the fire. Updates can be found on the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. Interstate 84 and U.S. Highway 30 are open with no restrictions. The Eastbound Memaloose Rest Area is still closed. Authorities remind everyone that fire conditions are extremely hazardous and with firefighting resources growing scarce it is vitally important that regulations in the forest are followed to reduce the risk of new fires. The investigation on the cause of the Memaloose 2 Fire continues.  

Crews made more progress on the Memaloose 2 Fire on Monday. More than 100 firefighters are working on the blaze under the direction of the Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Personnel on scene includes hand crews, fire engines and tenders, along with 2 helicopters. Firefighters are working the interior of the fire looking for burning fuel and hot spots. Crews will remain at the scene for the next few days until there is no risk of the fire spreading outside the fireline. The 167 acre fire is now 65% contained. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  

    Wasco County Sheriff Lane McGill has lowered level 2 and level 3 evacuation notices to level 1. Dropping to level 1 is the intersection of State Road and Marsh Cutoff to Dell Road, including both sides of the road…..the intersection of Highway 30 and Marsh Cutoff all the way east to the bottom of Rowena Loops, that includes both sides of Highway 30, Rowena Dell, Rowena Overlook and Canyon Way all the way down to Rowena Ferry Road. The previous level 1 notices are also lifted so areas without any evacuation notices start at the bottom of Rowena Loops, heading east to the west end of Tooley Lake…..both sides of Interstate 84 and Highway 30 and Mayer State Park. You are encouraged to stay vigilant with fire crews still in the area. At last report, the Memaloose 2 Fire was 167 acres and 50% contained with firelines all around the perimeter of the fire.

    THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say one person was critically injured after a classic car driver accelerated quickly in The Dalles, flipped over and struck several people who were watching nearby.                                                                                                                       According to The Dalles Police Department, police responded to the incident around 10 p.m. Saturday. Investigators say the driver of a 1955 Chevy Bel-Air, Ronald Madorin, rapidly accelerated from a stop light after the light turned green. Police say the Chevy Bel-Air flipped over, struck a parked vehicle and injured people who were watching the classic car cruise. One person suffered critical injuries and was taken to the hospital.                                                                                                                                            The Chevy Bel-Air burst into flames after the crash. Madorin suffered minor injuries. After his release from Mid-Columbia Medical Center, Madorin was arrested on charges of second-degree assault. Other charges may be filed later.                                                                                                                                      Police do not think alcohol was a  factor. Madorin is scheduled to appear in Wasco County Circuit Court this afternoon at 1:15. His current bail is set at $100,000.

    Crews had a good day on the Memaloose 2 Fire Sunday. All level 3 (go now) evacuation areas have been lowered to level 2. That affects the intersection of Highway 30 and Marsh cutoff east to the bottom of the Rowena Loop, including both sides of Highway 30, Rowena Dell, Rowena Overlook, Canyon Way and down to Rowena Ferry Road. Evacuation updates can be found on the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. Interstate 84 reopened to two lanes of traffic eastbound. Highway 30 is open with no restrictions. Marsh Cutoff and Dell Road are open to local traffic only as fire suppression efforts continue there. The eastbound Memaloose Rest Area remains closed. Crews were challenged Sunday by “burning rollers” and “flaming snags” that at times carried fire into pockets of unburned fuels within the firelines. Those areas were quickly attacked, using available aircraft as needed. Crews will focus on strengthening containment lines and mop-up activities today. Some crew members are beginning to leave as the conditions improve The latest GPS mapping shows the fire at 167 acres, with containment at 50%. No structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire. The fire was reported late Friday evening burning near the eastbound Memaloose Rest Area, south of I-84 about 3 miles east of Mosier. The cause is under investigation.  

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has lowered the Level 3 Evacuation notices to Level 2 in the area of the Memaloose 2 Fire. This is from the intersection of Highway 30 and Marsh cutoff all the way east to the bottom of the Rowena Loops. That includes both sides of Highway 30, Rowena Dell, Rowena Overlook and Canyon Way all the way down to Rowena Ferry Road. Highway 30 is now open with no restrictions. Marsh Cutoff and Dell Road are open to local traffic only as fire suppression efforts continue in the area. You can find updates on evacuations on the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page Crews battling the fire, approximately 3 miles East of Mosier, had a strong night of mop-up, supported by lower temperatures and higher humidity. Control lines are 100% completed around the fire perimeter, which decreases the risk of fire spread. Resources on the fire include 252 personnel, 35 engines, 4 dozers and an incident management team. Crews will be looking for smoke and hot spots today for mop-up. Smoke and flames may be visible inside the fire perimeter. The fire was held to 175 acres overnight, with containment at 35%.    

      Crews battling the Memaloose 2 Fire, approximately 3 miles East of Mosier, had a strong night of mop-up Saturday night, supported by lower temperatures and higher humidity. Control lines are 100% completed around the fire perimeter, which decreases the risk of fire spread. Evacuation levels have not changed. Level 3 (go now) notices are still in effect from the intersection of Highway 30 and Marsh cutoff all the way east to the bottom of the Rowena Loops. That includes both sides of Highway 30, Rowena Dell, Rowena Overlook and Canyon Way all the way down to Rowena Ferry Road. Level 2 (get set) notices are for the intersection of State Road and Marsh cutoff to Dell Road. That includes both sides of the road. Level 1 (get ready) notices start at the bottom of the Rowena Loops heading east to the west end of Tooley Lake, both sides of I-84 and both sides of Hiway 30 and also Mayer State Park. For updates on evacuations, go to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. Resources on the fire include 252 personnel, 35 engines, 4 dozers and an incident management team. Crews will be looking for smoke and hot spots today for mop-up. Smoke and flames may be visible inside the fire perimeter. The fire was held to 175 acres overnight, with containment at 35%.  

Officials at the Memaloose 2 Fire reported tonight that firefighters were successful today in maintaining the perimeter of the fire within its existing 175 acre footprint despite strong winds. Containment increased to 35% this evening.  With completion of fireline today, crews are now putting hoselays around the fire and beginning to mop up heat within the interior of the fire near the perimeter.  Washington Department of Natural Resources Fire Boss air tankers and helicopters were used to cool hot spots.  No structures have been damaged by the fire, and structural task forces are in place.   The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office established a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notice this morning for the intersection of Highway 30 and Marsh cutoff all the way east to the bottom of the Rowena loops, including both sides of Highway 30, Rowena Dell, and Rowena Overlook all the way to Canyon Way.   There is a Level 2 (Get Set To Go) evacuation advisory for the intersection of State Road and Marsh Cutoff to Dell Road. This includes both sides of the road.   Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation advisories are in place starting at the bottom of the Rowena Loops to the west end of Tooley Lake, both sides of Interstate 84 and both sides of Highway 30 as well as Mayor State Park.   Highway 30 is closed from the Memaloose Overlook to the Rowena Interstate 84 interchange.   The Red Cross has opened an information center at The Dalles Middle School.  It will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The South Valley Fire is now 100 percent contained, and the Oregon Department of Forestry Type 2 Incident Management Team transferred control of the fire location to an ODF Type 4 Team in The Dalles Unit.  The local ODF fire staff will patrol the area and monitor for smokes frequently throughout the remainder of fire season.  Officials say there may be visible smokes in the interior portion of the fire for the remainder of the summer.  The public is advised to call 9-1-1 should they become concerned about any smoke or flame they feel is a threat to structures or resources.  The fire that started last Thursday covered 20,026 acres, burning three primary structures and 15 outbuildings.  The ODF Team 2 expressed appreciation to the community of Dufur for their support.

The Cow Canyon Fire that broke out Thursday afternoon near the junction of Highways 97 and 197 is now fully lined.  The Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center reported that crews are working to put out hotspots and burning juniper near the line.  It was mapped at 519 acres.  The Ashwood Rural Fire Protection Association, Bureau of Land Management, and air tankers were joined by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, Wasco County Sheriff, Oregon State Police, and Oregon Department of Transportation in responding to the fire.  The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office this morning lifted Level 1 evacuation advisories for Shaniko and Antelope.  Cause of the fire is undetermined.