| Tunnel Five Fire | |
| Date: | – |
| Location: | Skamania County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates: | 45.7225°N -121.5786°W |
| Pushpin Map: | USA Washington |
| Area: | 529acres[1] |
| Cause: | under investigation |
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]
The fire began in the unincorporated community of Underwood, Washington, 2miles west of White Salmon, Washington during a period of hot, dry conditions that was forecasted to last through the July 4 holiday., it had burned 546acres and was 20% containment, and was moving westward.[6] [7] [8]
10 homes were estimated to have been burned,[9] with 250 nearby homes threatened. 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] 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.[8], 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. It reopened to traffic on July 12 after the fire had reached 80 percent containment.[13]