15 Mile Fire Under Control But Not Contained

 
A division chief with Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says the 15 Mile Fire east of The Dalles is being called under control, but not contained.  Strong winds in the area during the night grew the fire to an estimated 3500 acres.  MCFR Division Chief Jay Wood said this morning containment lines are not completed, but the fire is at 60-to-80 percent containment level.  He said the fire has gone past Celilo Village, to where Interstate 84 and Highway 30 turn to the south.  Wood said no structures have been lost and there have been no injuries, but farmers have lost some equipment along with grazing land, wheat, and possibly some cattle.  Wood said five fire engines and a hand crew of 20 people along with other firefighters are at the scene today.  He noted command of the fire is now being split, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Land Management now taking command of the eastern portion of the fire, while MCFR will do patrol and deal with hot spots on Fifteen Mile Hill and along Interstate 84.  Wasco County Emergency Management has confirmed all evacuation orders have been lifted, but caution is advised as firefighting efforts continue in the area and personnel and equipment are still present.  The fire began at 5:35 p.m. Thursday near Interstate 84 in the vicinity of mileposts 90 and 91.  A public information hotline for the fire has been established at 541-506-2792.  Crews from Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Columbia Rural Fire Protection District, Hood River County, Sherman County, Klickitat County, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Land Management have been involved in fighting the fire  Interstate 84 is open between The Dalles and Biggs, but motorists are being asked to use caution.
Courtesy Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue
Courtesy Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue

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