Substation Fire Hits 50K Acres, Leaves One Person Dead

THE DALLES, OR — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday declared a state of emergency due to increasing wildfire activity across the state, which includes the growing Substation fire that began Tuesday about 5 miles south of The Dalles.

As of Thursday morning, InciWeb estimated the fire at more than 50,000 acres, which reportedly includes parts of Sherman and Wasco counties. Leveled evacuations have been ordered for areas within the wildfire danger zone.

So far, no official cause for the massive conflagration has been determined, but Brown at a press conference on Wednesday indicated arson is being investigated.

One person was reportedly killed by the Substation Fire on Wednesday while trying to cut their own fire line with a tractor, Wasco fire officials said.

Level 3, "evacuate now" orders were issued for Moro; level 2, "be ready to evacuate" orders were expanded to include the community of Wasco, south to Kent and east several miles, Oregon Fire Marshal officials said, noting that more than 900 homes are in the level 2 and 3 evacuation areas.

Evacuated residents are being directed to the American Red Cross shelter at The Dalles Middle School, 1100 E. 12th St.

Oregon is currently reporting at least eight large wildfires burning in the state. Numerous fire agencies from Portland area communities have been deployed to assist the fire suppression effort.

(Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Oregon Patch)

Hillsboro fire officials on Thursday posted this video to Facebook:

Watch: KGW News Captures Substation Fire Growth

Image via Shutterstock