Badger MT Complex Update
Incident: Badger Mountain Wildland Fire
Released: 7/13/2008
The 13,349-acre Badger Mountain Fire Complex burned steadily northward today, increasing in intensity in the late afternoon and threatening homes and structures in the farthest northeast corner of the fire approximately 2 miles east of the Columbia River and 1.5 miles south of Highway 2.
The Douglas County Sheriff has called for a Level 3 (mandatory) evacuation of all residents in the area west of the Badger Mountain Road to the river.
Last night, the fire moved aggressively forward for two miles, causing the closure of Highway 97 and a Level 3 evacuation order for the area known as Longview on the east shore of the Columbia River.
Firefighter activities Saturday included comprehensive work on the west, east and south flanks of the fire where fire lines have been constructed.
Dozers, hand crews and other firefighting resources were moved from work at the southern portion of the fire to the areas of significant fire activity in the northern head of the fire this afternoon in order to provide structural protection to approximately 160 residences. No structures were lost today in the area but, given the low humidity levels and hot temperatures, there is a high potential for intensive fire behavior near structures.
Reinforcements along the northeast flank of the fire continued to work to prevent the uphill fire spread toward Highway 2 and more structures there. Air support was hampered today by dense smoke.
Air support provided bucket drops of water to the northernmost portion of the fire throughout the day today. The fire is being aggressively managed during both day and night shifts to the fullest degree possible.
