8/13/2018 Memaloose #2 Update

Contact:  Christie Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry

                541-263-0661

                Rachel Pawlitz, US Forest Service—Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

                503-758-2624

[Mosier, Ore.]   The Memaloose #2 Fire has multiple positive updates – with containment up to 50%, evacuations eased, and roads reopening. 

All the Level 3 (GO) evacuation areas have been reduced to a Level 2 (GET SET). This affects the following areas: the intersection of Highway 30 and Marsh cutoff east to the bottom of the Rowena loop, this includes both sides of the Highway 30, Rowena Dell, Rowena Overlook, Canyon Way and down to Rowena Ferry Road. Updates for evacuation levels can be found on the Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff/.  No structures were destroyed or damaged by the fire.

Interstate 84 reopened to two lanes of traffic eastbound. The eastbound Memaloose Rest Area remains closed at this time. Highway 30 is once again open with no restrictions at this time.  Marsh Cutoff and Dell Road are open to local traffic only as fire suppression efforts continue in the area.  Continue to check Oregon Department of Transportation Trip Check for up to date road closure information.

Unified Commanders from Oregon Department of Forestry, US Forest Service Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office have evaluated the needs of the Memaloose #2 Fire. They determined structural fire crews and the OSFM Incident Management Team could be progressively released to their home agencies starting around 4:00 p.m. today.  Working together to serve Oregon communities is each agency’s priority and if the needs of the Memaloose #2 Fire change, necessary resources will be brought back to protect the community and surrounding areas.

Crews were challenged today by “burning rollers” and “flaming snags” which at times carried fire into pockets of unburned fuels within the firelines. Firefighters quickly attacked these areas, using available aircraft as needed.  Suppression efforts continue to focus on strengthening containment lines and mopping up the interior of the fire. Mop-up is the difficult and time-intensive work of cooling heat and flames to limit risk of fire moving outside the containment lines. Today firefighters were able to collect GPS information and have mapped the fire perimeter at 167 acres, with an estimated containment of 50%.  Tonight crews will patrol the perimeter, looking for fire outside the fireline. Over the coming days, firefighters will be mopping up a minimum of 300 feet into the interior of the fire. 

Memaloose #2 Fire was reported late Friday evening burning near the eastbound Memaloose Rest Area, south of Interstate 84, three miles east of Mosier, Oregon. The fire is burning on National Forest System lands in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and state and privately owned lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Mosier Fire and Rescue. The cause remains under investigation.