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Tunnel Five Fire
2023 wildfire in Skamania County, Washington From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Tunnel Five Fire or Tunnel 5 Fire was a wildfire in Skamania County, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge, near the border with Oregon. Ignited in the morning of July 2, 2023,[2] the fire was caused by a BNSF locomotive exhaust.[3] By July 10, the fire was 80% contained,[4] and by the following day it reached 100% containment.[5]
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History
The fire began in the unincorporated community of Underwood, Washington, 2 miles (3.2 km) west of White Salmon, Washington during a period of hot, dry conditions that was forecasted to last through the July 4 holiday.[6] As of July 7, 2023[update], it had burned 546 acres (221 ha) and was 20% containment, and was moving westward.[7][8][6]
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Impact
10 homes were estimated to have been burned,[9] with 250 nearby homes threatened.[8] Fourth of July celebrations were cancelled in White Salmon and nearby towns of Hood River, Oregon, and local bans on personal fireworks were put into place,[10][9] in addition to a red flag warning. Level 3 evacuation warnings impacted about 1,000 Skamania county residents.[11]
An emergency shelter for evacuees was opened at the Skamania County Fairgrounds. Other areas around the Columbia River Gorge were under warnings to prepare for potential evacuations.[6] As of July 6, 2023[update], 461 emergency workers had been deployed to fight the fire using engines and multiple aircraft.[12]
The fire caused Washington State Route 14 to be closed in both directions from Milepost 56 to Milepost 65 beginning on July 4.[8] It reopened to traffic on July 12 after the fire had reached 80 percent containment.[13]
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References
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