PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A wildfire near The Dalles has forced an evacuation order in the area, officials say.
According to Columbia Fire & Rescue, the fire is 8-9 acres in size and is mostly contained. Crews said the evacuation advisory has been downgraded to Level 1 “GET SET” order.
There is a shelter at Dufur High School.
ODOT announced US 197 and the eastbound Interstate 84 off-ramp at milepost 87 have reopened after drivers were detoured just after 10 a.m.
Resources from MCFR, the Oregon Department of Forestry, United States Forest Service, Dallesport Fire, and Hood River are all on the scene, along with two taskforces from Oregon State Fire Marshal up from the Miller fire, fire support from Dufur and a Type 2 Helicopter.
On the scene, a KOIN 6 News crew saw a burned van and what looks like remnants of a structure, which fire chief Robert Palmer of Columbia Fire & Rescue said was part of a homeless camp.
“We’ve allowed people to go back into their homes. There was a structure in the fire basically destroyed,” Chief Palmer said.
Palmer said crews don’t know of any injuries. The chief also noted power should be restored in the area.
A wildfire reported near The Dalles has shut down a section of Interstate 84 on Thursday, August 4, 2022 (Courtesy: Wasco County Sheriff’s Office). 
A wildfire reported near The Dalles has shut down a section of Interstate 84 on Thursday, August 4, 2022 (Courtesy: Oregon Department of Transportation). 
A wildfire reported near The Dalles has shut down a section of Interstate 84 on Thursday, August 4, 2022 (Courtesy: Oregon Department of Transportation). 
A wildfire reported near The Dalles has shut down a section of Interstate 84 on Thursday, August 4, 2022 (Courtesy: Oregon Department of Transportation). 
A wildfire reported near The Dalles has shut down a section of Interstate 84 on Thursday, August 4, 2022 (KOIN). 
A wildfire reported near The Dalles has shut down a section of Interstate 84 on Thursday, August 4, 2022 (Courtesy: Wasco County Sheriff’s Office). 
A wildfire reported near The Dalles has shut down a section of Interstate 84 on Thursday, August 4, 2022 (Courtesy: Wasco County Sheriff’s Office). 
On the scene of The Dalles Fire, a KOIN 6 News crew saw a burned van and what looks like remnants of a structure, which fire chief Robert Palmer of Columbia Fire & Rescue said was part of a homeless camp. August 4, 2022 (KOIN).
LIVE: See the fire from a KOIN Weather Camera
KOIN 6 News spoke to Portland Fire & Rescue who said they have sent crews to help at other wildfires throughout the state.
“These are our neighbors, friends, family…we want to be good neighbors and we may need their help,” Terry Foster of PF&R said.
Foster explained that vegetation is a problem right now and said after the wet spring, it’s grown tall, which gives fires more fuel.
KOIN 6 is working to learn more. This is a developing story.