Fire crews have been working alongside two bulldozers to construct fire lines along the Archer Mountain fire in Skamania County, where officials estimate the fire is now about 6 percent contained.
A helicopter also has reportedly begun dumping water on the fire as about 82 fire personnel are now battling the blaze, according to a midday report from the state Department of Natural Resources. Officials believe the fire, which has now grown to 120 acres, is a spot fire of the Eagle Creek Fire that started from an ember that jumped the Columbia River Tuesday morning.
About 928 fire personnel are working to control the Eagle Creek and Indian Creek fires devouring the Columbia River Gorge. Officials estimate that fire is now 5 percent contained. A Vancouver teenager is under investigation for starting the Eagle Creek fire.
Fire officials say the cooler weather and less wind has helped efforts on both sides of the river, where many people have been evacuated from their homes.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday morning downgrades to the evacuation level notices.
Franz Road, Dim Rill Dale Drive and Archer Mountain Road east of Deville Drive which was on a Level 3 (go now) evacuation notice Wednesday was reduced to a Level 2 (be ready to go) evacuation notice. Archer Mountain Road west of Deville Drive remains on Level 3 (go now) evacuation notice.
In Oregon, fire crews established fire lines near Cascade Locks and Bridal Veil and continue to protect homes and structures in the areas closest to the fire, which is burning more than 30,000 acres. So far, officials report that three houses have been damaged and a small spot fire ignited near a cell tower early this morning.
Temperatures have cooled and Lt. Damon Simmons of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office says firefighters should make good progress if the weather cooperates.
Interstate 84 between Troutdale and Hood River remains closed and all evacuation levels in Multnomah and Hood River Counties have remained unchanged. The Oregon Department of Transportation estimates that about 2,000 trees posing a safety hazard along the freeway must be felled before the road can reopen. The U.S. Coast Guard has reopened the Columbia River to night-time passage of commercial boats, and Union Pacific trains have begun to move through the region.
Meanwhile, Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese says deputies arrested a 23-year-old man on charges of theft by deception and a parole violation. Reese says Cody Cunningham tried to obtain clothing from a firefighting crew. Reese says he does not know Cunningham’s intentions, but “certainly they were not good.”
A public meeting on the Archer Mountain Fire will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Skamania Elementary School, 122 Butler Loop Road, Skamania. A community meeting on the Eagle Creek and Indian Creek fires will also be held at 6 p.m. today at Hood River Valley High School 1220 Indian Creek Road, Hood River, Ore.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
