Wildfire in east Skamania County prompts 'Go Now' evacuation orders, closes part of Highway 14

A wildfire burning near Underwood, Washington, across the Columbia River from Hood River, Oregon, in rural Skamania County, has closed part of state Route 14 (Highway 14) and prompted Level 3 "Go Now" fire evacuations for people living within a two-mile radius of the fire's epicenter.

Skamania County firefighters responded to reports of a wildfire Sunday, July 2, and said Monday morning that the fire, known as the Tunnel 5" fire, spread in the afternoon thanks to hot, windy conditions, and stayed active throughout the night.

As of 7 a.m. Monday, July 3, according to an update by the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team (IIMT), the fire had grown to 533 acres and was zero percent contained.

Highway 14 is closed between mile markers 53 and 63. A shelter for fire evacuees has been established at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, 710 S.W. Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson.

There are Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders in effect in east Skamania County and Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notices in effect in west Klickitat County as of 12:30 p.m. Monday.

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