PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon firefighters are making good progress on the Microwave Tower Fire in Wasco County, though evacuation levels have remained the same since Monday night.
According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews working through the night on the fire near Mosier took advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity to help slow the fire's spread.
"Much of the progress was along the southern portion of the fire, while the northern portion continues to present challenges due to limited access and steep slopes," Oregon DOF said in a release. "Air resources played a critical role in helping slow the fire’s spread in difficult terrain."
While the fire is still being mapped, it is estimated to be 591 acres. Smoke is still visible from I-84 as the fire continues "backing down north-facing slopes just west of Mosier," officials said.
Crews are expected to continue making good progress on the fire with calmer winds predicted in the forecast.
A challenging aspect of the fire remains that resources across the state a stretched thin with so many wildfires currently active.
"So resources are strapped right now with all of the fires around the state. but we do have crews from all over the region and the state that have come in to respond to this fire," said Stephanie Krell, a spokesperson for Wasco County.
A Red Cross shelter for evacuees has been set up at Hood River Middle School. The current evacuation levels, which haven't changed since Monday at 10 p.m., are listed below.
No new update about how the fire started has been released. For the latest on evacuation levels, check the Wasco County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
