South Valley Fire


The South Valley Fire is a human-caused wildfire currently burning in Wasco County near Dufur in the U.S. state of Oregon. The fire is one of three fires near Dufur, specifically the active Long Hollow Fire and the contained Substation Fire. The South Valley Fire has burned. It has caused the evacuation of 400 people and threatens 100 homes. It has impacted recreational activities along the Deschutes River.

Events

The fire was started around 1:30 p.m. on August 1, 2018, near Dufur in Wasco County, Oregon. The fire grew fast, burning almost by the evening. Level three evacuations were put in place and Governor Kate Brown call into action the emergency conflagration act as a result of the fire, sending resources. Highway 197 was closed. The Bureau of Land Management issued an evacuation for areas along the Deschutes River, specifically from Sandy Beach to Macks Canyon. As of the evening of August 1, the fire had burned an estimated. The next day, it had grown exponentially to with 400 people evacuated. A historic barn, built in 1906, was burned by the fire.

Impact

The South Valley Fire was one of three fires to have burned in the area, adding to the heavy smoke and evacuations already in place, particularly around the community of Dufur. The fire also impacted recreational activities along the Deschutes River.

Evacuations

The following areas are under mandatory evacuation as of August 1: