Columbia River Gorge wildfire prompts evacuations, burns at least one home
Jul 19, 2025, 10:11 AM | Updated: 10:15 am
A wildfire burning on a hillside above Lyle, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge has grown to 2,000 acres and forced families to evacuate their homes. (Photo: Lyle Fire & Rescue District 4)
(Photo: Lyle Fire & Rescue District 4)
A wildfire that ignited a hillside above the Columbia River Gorge Friday has forced evacuations and burned at least one home.
Authorities issued a Level Three evacuation order for those living near the center of the fire zone, meaning they should leave now.
Around 11:30 p.m. Friday, they also issued Level Two and Level One evacuation orders for other areas near the fire, which are not currently in immediate danger.
Officials are also encouraging those in the area to evacuate livestock and other animals.
KGW T-V reported that the fire has burned at least one home, which was observed by one of its reporters at the scene.
The flames broke out in dry brush and trees on a gently sloping area above the Columbia River, in Klickitat County, between White Salmon and Lyle, Washington.
That’s a few miles west of The Dalles, Oregon, on the Washington state side of the river.
A smoky fire has forced evacuations just east of the town of Bingen, in the Columbia River Gorge. (Photo: Lyle Fire & Rescue District 4)
The fire has spread to about 2,000 acres and has burned at least one home.
It is also threatening other homes and buildings, as well as crops, power lines and cultural sites.
Klickitat County Emergency Management officials say a Red Cross emergency shelter has been is set up at Columbia High School in White Salmon.
The fire is burning above State Route 14, the main Washington highway along the river.
Authorities have closed a four-mile section of that highway, from the eastern edge of the town of Bingen to Lyle.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Dakota Russell told KGW that rocks are coming down from the cliffside onto the highway.
Klickitat County officials say the blaze began as a brush fire that broke out around 2:30 p.m. Friday, near Courtney Road and SR 14, at milepost 68.
High winds Friday afternoon pushed the flames to the north and east.
Emergency Management officials say several state and federal agencies are providing assistance.
The Klickitat County Board of Commissioners chair has also declared an emergency due to the fire.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is asking drivers who planned to use SR 14 to use alternate routes and expect delays.
The Port of Hood River is also warning of delays on the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge.
The Port of Hood River issued the following statement on its Facebook page:
Due to the fire near Bingen, WA, expect delays on the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge. SR-14 closures are pushing more traffic onto the bridge — please plan ahead, consider alternate routes, and drive with caution. If you’re on the river, stay alert and steer clear of areas where firefighting aircraft are operating. Your cooperation is essential to ensure the safety of both recreational users and firefighting crews.”
