The Sunset Valley Fire remains at 987 acres and is 85 percent contained. The fire was first reported at 3:45 p.m. on July 1, 2021 in the 3100 block of Valley View Drive near The Dalles. Strong winds pushed the fire into brush and wheat forcing evacuations and the closure of highway 197. The fire damaged one barn, several outbuildings, multiple vehicles and a portion of a local cherry orchard. Firefighters were able to protect the homes in the area and no injuries have been reported.
Firefighters continued to monitor the area yesterday, due to the hard work of fire crews, control and oversight of the area will be returned to local authorities today.
Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue led the initial response with support from local agencies, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service and task forces from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office that were in the area due to the Wrentham Market Fire. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to take over the fire on July 2, 2021.
More than 100 firefighters were part of the initial attack. Responding agencies included Mid-Columbia Fire, Columbia Rural Fire Protection District, Dallesport Fire, Dufur Fire, Mosier Fire, task forces from Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill and Hood River, Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. Many ranchers, farmers and volunteers also assisted with the fire. The Dalles Police, Wasco County Sheriff, Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Oregon Transport also assisted onscene.
“Without the resources we had today, including the three additional task forces and air support from OSFM, we would not have stopped it as quickly and the fire would have grown much larger,” said Mid-Columbia Fire Chief Robert Palmer. “What the state is doing is working. We were able to better protect properties with their assistance and support.”
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office issued several evacuations due to the fast-moving flames. Follow the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation information. Local residents can also sign up to receive future emergency notifications through the county.
The incident management team’s information section put together a video to summarize the fire and share pictures and videos.