| South Valley Fire | |
| Reference: | [1] |
| Date: | – |
| Location: | Dufur, Wasco County, Oregon, United States |
| Area: | 20026acres |
| Cause: | Human |
The South Valley Fire was a human-caused wildfire in Wasco County near Dufur in the U.S. state of Oregon. The fire was one of three fires near Dufur, specifically the Long Hollow Fire and the contained Substation Fire. The South Valley Fire burned 20026acres. It caused the evacuation of 500 people and threatened 200 homes.[2] It impacted recreational activities along the Deschutes River.
The fire started around 1:30 p.m. on August 1, 2018, near Dufur in Wasco County, Oregon. Firefighters determined it was likely started by humans. Due to high winds and fueled by dry grass, fields, and trees, the fire grew fast, burning almost 3500acres by the evening. Level three (go now) evacuations were put in place, and Governor Kate Brown call into action the emergency conflagration act as a result of the fire, sending resources. Highway 197 was closed.[3] The Bureau of Land Management issued an evacuation for areas along the Deschutes River, specifically from Sandy Beach to Macks Canyon.[4] By the evening of August 1, the fire had burned an estimated 6000acres.[5] The next day, it had grown exponentially to 20000acres with 400 people evacuated. A historic barn, built in 1906, was burned by the fire.[1]
Highway 197 reopened the next day, Thursday, August 2, 2018. The fire was contained August 9, 2018.[6]
The South Valley Fire was one of three fires to have burned in the area, adding to the heavy smoke and evacuations already in place, particularly around the community of Dufur. The fire also impacted recreational activities along the Deschutes River.
The following areas were under mandatory evacuation by August 1:[3] [5] [4]