Burdoin Fire is 72 percent contained; Highway 14 reopens

Firefighters are getting a handle on the Burdoin Fire burning between Bingen and Lyle in the Columbian River Gorge, according to officials.

“Containment of the Burdoin Fire is progressing quickly now as firefighters continue to widen and secure lines around the perimeter. As the scale and scope of work on the fire changes, some resources are being released, but sufficient resources have been retained to complete the remaining work and also respond to any new ignitions in the area,” according to a statement on the state’s Facebook page for the fire.

The wildfire, which started July 18, has burned 11,192 acres along state Highway 14. The acreage has been reduced from earlier totals thanks to more accurate mapping. The fire is now 72 percent contained with 659 fire personnel working the blaze, down from about 900 at its peak. Four helicopters, three dozers and 57 engines are assigned to the fire.

Evacuation orders in the area have remained constant since Saturday, when Level 3 “Go Now!” orders were dropped to Level 2, allowing some people to return to their homes.

The cause of the Burdoin Fire is undetermined, but officials said it started near a road and then burned on both sides of Highway 14, moving east toward Lyle.

Weather in the Gorge is expected to be in the 90s with light winds with a possibility of thunderstorms moving in Wednesday night or Thursday morning.