Contact: Burt Edwards, communications director | 971.634.0595 (office) | 703.861.8237 (cell) | burt@gorgefriends.org (email)
PORTLAND, OR – On Tuesday, July 17, a fast-spreading wildfire erupted east of The Dalles, OR. Over 36,000 acres are now affected and the Wasco County Sherriff's Office has issued Level 3 evacuations for several local neighborhoods. Kevin Gorman, executive director for Friends of the Columbia Gorge, said in response:
"On behalf of Friends of the Columbia Gorge's staff, board and members, I'd like to express my deep gratitude to the first responders from Wasco and Sherman Counties and the staff with many state and federal agencies working to protect the residents of The Dalles and bring the Substation fire under control.
"Keeping the Gorge a safe place to live and recreate is a tireless and often thankless job. I've had the honor to work with many of these dedicated public servants over the past 19 years, and they deserve our gratitude and need our support.
"With over 1,000 acres owned throughout the Gorge, Friends like many other local land owners in the National Scenic Area depend on county, state and federal agencies for protection during wildfire season. I urge Gov. Brown and members of the Oregon congressional delegation to continue their efforts to support first responders with the fiscal resources they need to effectively and safely combat fires in the Gorge.
"Friends also all urges all hikers and campers to take extreme care in the Gorge, particularly during peak fire season. The Gorge is an icon of the Pacific Northwest and we all have a role to play in protecting and stewarding it."
General Background Information
For updated information on The Dalles Substation fire please see:- Wasco County Sheriff's Office: https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff/
- Sherman County Sheriff's Office https://www.facebook.com/Sherman-County-Sheriffs-Office-643904422378873/
- Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - U.S. Forest Service: https://www.facebook.com/crgnsa/?ref=hl
- Information on active wildfires can be found at the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center and InciWeb -- the national incident information system: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/ and https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Quick Facts & Hiking Safety Information
- Oregon has had over 475 human-caused fires already over the course 2018 (as of July 18, 2018). Source: Oregon Dept. of Forestry http://wildfireoregondeptofforestry.blogspot.com/
- According to a 2017 study: "[O]ver 84% of the government-recorded wildfires were started by people from 1992 to 2012." PNAS Feb. 27, 2017. http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2017/02/21/1617394114
- Ready, Set, GOrge! (Gorge Hiking Tips, Maps & More): https://www.readysetgorge.com