Charlie Deach dug a fire line to protect the 136-year-old Columbia Grange Hall

The Columbia Grange Hall near Lyle has been a space for social, educational and political organization since 1891. (Emily Rogers/The Columbian)

Charlie Deach used his backhoe to dig berms around the Columbia Grange Hall near Lyle to save it from the Burdoin Fire. (Emily Rogers/The Columbian)

Charlie Deach, 76, president of the Columbia Grange, saved the hall from the Burdoin Fire in July. (Emily Rogers/The Columbian)

Charlie Deach creates fire breaks around the Columbia Grange Hall near Lyle as the Burdoin Fire burned through the area in July. At right, fire burns toward the Grange hall. (Photos contributed by the National Grange)

Charlie Deach is credited with saving the Columbia Grange Hall near Lyle from the Burdoin Fire. (Contributed by the National Grange)

Fire burns toward the Columbia Grange Hall near Lyle as the Burdoin Fire burned through the Columbia River Gorge. The Grange hall was saved thanks to the hard work of Lyle resident Charlie Deach. (Contributed by the National Grange)