Wildfire near Parkdale burns 85 acres

A wildfire that broke out Monday on private state-protected land west of Parkdale and north of Mount Hood resulted in a large spot fire that combined have burned about 85 acres, the Oregon Department of Forestry said Tuesday,

The 1620 Road Fire was reported Monday morning burning in brush, slash and young timber on private land about four miles west of Parkdale. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time, ODF Central Oregon Public Information Officer Christie Shaw said.

Throughout Monday, resources from ODF’s Central Oregon District were assisted by firefighters from the Parkdale Fire Department, Mt. Hood National Forest, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Washington Department of Natural Resources.

“Jackpots”of slash and increasing afternoon winds challenged firefighters Monday, Shaw said. Fire behavior included creeping, spotting and single tree torching.

A spot fire was detected Monday afternoon, burning in a draw to the east of the main fire. The spot fire was burning in dense vegetation and less accessible terrain, quickly growing in size.

Currently the combined acreage for the two fires is estimated at 85 acres. As of Tuesday morning, the fires were 35% lined and 10% contained.

Shaw said no structures are threatened or have been destroyed, and there have been no firefighter injuries reported.

Overnight, firefighters worked to complete line around the original fire perimeter, using bulldozers and existing roads. Hand-line construction started around the larger spot fire, and that work continued Tuesday.

A Type 3 incident management team was briefed Tuesday morning and will take command of the fire to provide additional support to firefighters and resources. The organization will be used to manage the additional resources which have been ordered for suppression efforts.

Overnight, two 20-person crews, two five-person crews, an engine, a dozer, an excavator and additional overhead staffed the fire.

On Tuesday, the fire was being staffed by six 20-person crews, five engines, three tenders, two dozers, an excavator and overhead to manage the resources. Aerial resources available to support ground operations included two fireboss scooper planes, two heavy air tankers, a Type 2 helicopter and a Type 1 helicopter.

“Firefighter and public safety are the priority for the incident,” Shaw wrote in Tuesday’s report. “Today’s objectives for firefighters is to hold and secure existing fire lines along the perimeter of the fire and begin mop-up on the secured lines. Direct line construction will be used where possible to minimize acres burned and damage to natural resources.”