White River Fire Burns Into ODFW Wildlife Area

A wildfire blew into a North-central Oregon wildlife area last night, burning about 2,200 acres of it, tweeted state managers.

The deadly White River Fire has been blazing southeast of Mt. Hood and north of Highways 26 and 216 since mid-August, but this week has made a large run to the east, expanding from a reported 2,775 acres yesterday to 4,500 acres today, including the Smock Prairie portion of ODFW’s White River Wildlife Area.

The fire is believed to have been sparked by lightning and is only 10 percent contained. Earlier this week Tom Duffy, a 40-year-old Montana-based helicopter pilot, died while performing water drops on it.

ODFW says that closures and restrictions are in effect and to watch Inciweb for updates.

As usual around this time of year before the start of deer and elk bow seasons – those begin tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 29 – the agency advised archers to check ahead on wildfire- or fire-danger-related area closures and restrictions on campfires and other requirements.

The White River Wildlife Area covers around 29,500 acres on the east side of the Cascades where forested lands give way to more open country. It is popular with turkey and other hunters.

A number of other Northwest fires continue to burn or have been largely contained. Track them via Inciweb.