07/11/2023
Sheriff Scheyer is hosting a second community meeting for those directly affected by the Tunnel 5 fire. This is a hybrid meeting for both in-person and Zoom participation. Due to the 100 participant maximum on Zoom, the event will also be streamed live on the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page. See below for details.
WHEN: 07/12/2023 – 6:30 PM
WHERE: Underwood Community Center: 951 School House Road, Underwood
ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/95265771403
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SkamaniaSheriff/
07/10/2023
FINAL TUNNEL 5 FIRE UPDATE
At this time the fire containment is at 80% and all evacuation notices have been lifted.
07/08/2023
07/07/2023
07/06/2023
“Watch “Update on Tunnel 5 fire with Skamania Co. authorities” on YouTube”
Looks like Fox 12 recorded it.
Also this is the link for the Southwest Washington Fire Information live stream they did at 5 PM.
07/05/2023 1015
07/04/2023
TUNNEL 5 FIRE COMMUNITY MEETING
Sheriff Scheyer is hosting a community meeting for those affected by the Tunnel 5 fire. This is a hybrid meeting for both in-person and Zoom participation. See below for details.
WHEN: 07/05/2023 – 7:00 PM
WHERE: White Salmon Fire Department – City Council Chambers: 119 NE Church Avenue, White Salmon
ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/97290660491
7/4/2023 1400 Update
Level Three Evacuation Levels Remain in Affect
Fire crews continue to work the Tunnel 5 fire. Unfortunately, due to already extremely high fire danger, evacuation levels have not changed. We realize the burden this puts on evacuated residents, but the Sheriff’s Office priority is always for the safety of its residents, response personnel, and visitors. The Sheriff will meet again with the Incident Management Team tomorrow at 2PM to reassess evacuation zones.
The Red Cross shelter at the Skamania County Fairground, 710 SW Rock Creek Drive is still in operation and will continue to be so while there is need.
For fire information please follow this page or the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team page at: https://www.facebook.com/sewaimt
If you need assistance with evacuating, please call: 509 427 8076
For emergency assistance call 911
07/04/2023 1000 Update
SCSO Morning Update
Fire crews continued to work overnight on problem areas on the Tunnel Five fire while the incoming Type 2 Incident Management Team put together a game plan for July 4.
Containment on the Tunnel Five Fire this morning is 5%, and the fire size is 533 acres. Resources on the incident include 31 engines, 5 crews, 3 helicopters and 4 single-engine air tankers, as well as other heavy equipment. Total personnel working on the incident this morning is 189.
Temperatures today over the fire area will be in the low 90s, with very low relative humidity. Winds this morning will be northeast at 8-12 mph, changing to southeast in the afternoon, with gusts up to 15 mph.
Additional resources are expected today, including hand crews, heavy equipment, and five strike teams of fire engines. The incoming fire engines will augment the state mobilization resources already on scene, and some engine crews will work on structure assessments on the north/northeastern fire perimeter. Firefighters will improve dozer line on the eastern fire edge and will install hosel ays today to deliver water along the eastern fire perimeter. Helicopters and fixed-wing air tankers will continue to be used as needed today to hold the fire in check and assist ground crews.
Due to the high fire danger and the lack of free resources, we implore the community to do everything possible to avoid igniting new fires. Please carefully consider your use of fireworks or any other ignition sources.
Firefighters on the Tunnel Five Fire will also be available to assist with initial attack on new fire starts in the area if required.
Fire crews not working directly on fire attack continue to help prepare homes and other structures in case fire behavior increases.
You can work on preparing your own home by:
- Removing burnable materials such as vehicles, boats, wood piles, and deck furniture from around and under your home
- Clear debris such as pine needles and twigs from gutters, decks, and roofs
- Remove limbs and brush within five feet of your home
In the longer term, consider creating a defensible space around your property. There are excellent resources for communities at https://www.dnr.wa.gov/firewise
Defensible Space – Prepare Your Home | WA – DNR
Each year, wildland fires consume homes in the wildland-urban interface – defined as areas where homes are built near or among lands prone to wildland fire. Studies show that as many as 80 percent of homes lost to wildland fire may have been saved if brush around the homes were cleared and defensible space created around structures. There is no better time than now to prepare www.dnr.wa.govEvacuation levels have not changed. The Sheriff will meet again with the Incident Management Team at 2PM today to review evacuation zones. The priority as always is for the safety of residents, response personnel, and visitors.
The Red Cross shelter at the Skamania County Fairground, 710 SW Rock Creek Drive is still in operation and will continue to be so while there is need.
We’d like to express our deep thanks to all the response personnel that have left their homes and families to help fight the fire.
This is not the way we expected to spend July 4th, especially for those who had to leave their homes or are still worried about having to evacuate. We want to express gratitude to all the people living in the community – residents, homeowners, and business owners – for being patient, offering support, and showing kindness to their neighbors.
07/03/2023 1700 Update
Update post on original evac order: 07/03/2023 1430 Level three evacuation area has not changed. After evaluation by fire personnel, the current situation is too unpredictable to change the current level three evacuation. This situation will be re-evaluated at 2:00 PM 07/04.
07/03/23 1330 Update
During the evacuations for the Tunnel fire, Skamania County Library will be providing WiFi access 24/7 in their parking lot for people without internet connection. The library will also be open during normal hours today 10am-6pm and all are welcome to use the computers and AC. They will be closed the 4th, but normal hours are 10-6 Mon-Sat.
The National weather service has issued a Red Flag warning for much of Skamania County. This means that they would expect rapid spread on any new or existing fires.
Please pay extra attention and avoid doing things that could accidentally spark a wildfire, whether that’s dragging a tow chain, setting off fireworks, or flicking a cigarette out the car window.
You can see a map of the area under red flag warning: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.9723226,-122.599359,9.58z/data=!4m2!21m1!1s%2Fg%2F11sv_5_s9y?entry=ttu
For more information visit: http://weather.gov/portland
7/3/2023 10:00am Update
Late last night Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 1 arrived and assumed command of the fire. The fire was active throughout the night but stayed within its footprint along much of the perimeter with moderate growth on the west flank, west of tunnel five.
The fire is approximately 530 acres with 0% containment. Evacuations continue at level 3 for a 2 mile radius around the fire.
There are currently 26 engines, 5 hand crews, and 19 water tenders for a total of 166 fire personnel.
More firefighting resources from numerous agencies will be arriving throughout the day. Priorities are to provide for public and firefighter safety while protecting structures, critical infrastructure, and natural resource values at risk.
Firefighters are engaging in a full-suppression effort to maintain the fire east of Drano Lake, south of the east/west portion of Cook-Underwood Rd., west of the north/south portion of Cook-Underwood Rd., and north of the Columbia River.
A Type 2 Incident Management Team will arrive in the area later today and take command of the fire.
Many different aircraft will be working on the fire today as well utilizing the Columbia River for water.
For fire information please follow this page or the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team page at: https://www.facebook.com/sewaimt
If you need assistance with evacuating please call: 509 427 8076
For emergency assistance call 911
SE WASHGINGTON INTER-AGENCY TEAM PRESS RELEASE
Update on Underwood Fire as of 11:00 p.m. 7/2/2023:
Fire perimeter is approximately 300 acres 0% contained. Several structures have been lost. Level 3 evacuation orders will stay in place overnight while firefighters use Cook Underwood Rd for active firefighting. Skamania Fairgrounds is set up with the Red Cross on site to assist with anyone who has been evacuated. Please register your phone if you have not yet though Skamaniasheriff.com-Emergency notifications. See outline map for current evacuation.
