BURDOIN

## Burdoin Fire Report - July 28, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Burdoin Fire ignited on Friday, July 18, 2025, around 2:30 p.m. PDT, approximately 2.5 miles east of White Salmon, Washington. **Size and Containment**: As of Monday morning, July 28, 2025, the fire has burned approximately 11,224 acres and is 54% contained. This represents significant progress from earlier in the week, when containment was much lower. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is burning in south-central Washington near the Columbia River. While cooler weather and reduced winds helped slow the fire's spread earlier in the week, warmer and drier conditions with potential for gusty winds are expected to challenge containment efforts. The fire has exhibited active burning across difficult terrain. **Containment Efforts**: Over 700 firefighting personnel, 56 engines, and five helicopters are assigned to the Burdoin Fire. Efforts have included tactical firing operations to close gaps in the fire perimeter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to assist with firefighting costs, marking the first Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declaration for Washington wildfires in 2025. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Orders**: As of Sunday, July 27, 2025, all Level 3 ("Go Now!") evacuation orders for the Burdoin Fire were lowered to Level 2 ("Get Set"). Previously, Level 3 evacuations were in place for hundreds of people in the community of Lyle and surrounding areas. Areas previously under Level 1 ("Get Ready") are no longer considered evacuation zones. **Evacuation Shelters**: Red Cross emergency shelters are located at Grace Baptist Church in White Salmon, WA, and The Dalles Middle School in The Dalles, OR. **Impacted Population**: Approximately 900 people were evacuated due to the fire. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** * **Highway 14**: Fully reopened on Monday, July 28, 2025, after being closed for over a week. It was previously closed in both directions between milepost 66 east of Bingen and milepost 76 west of Lyle. * **Highway 142**: Reopened for through traffic. * **Other Closures**: Canyon Road and Centerville Highway from Highway 14 to Schilling Road were also closed. * **Recreation Closures**: Catherine Creek Recreation Area, Coyote Wall Trailhead, Balfour-Klickitat Trailhead, Lyle Trailhead, Klickitat Milepost 1, and Klickitat Wild and Scenic River in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are closed to the public, with no estimated reopening date. **For more information, visit:** * Klickitat County Emergency Management's website or Facebook page for updates. * An interactive evacuation map can be found here: [https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/249/](https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/249/) * Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for state highway closures: [https://wsdot.wa.gov/](https://wsdot.wa.gov/) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: As of late last week, an estimated 44 structures were destroyed, and dozens more were damaged. Another report indicates 19 homes destroyed and 47 damaged. The fire threatened approximately 1,443 residences. **School and Business Closures**: No specific information on school or business closures directly related to the Burdoin Fire was found in the provided text. **Notable Impacts**: The fire has impacted communities in and around Lyle, Washington. Siblings Steven and Victoria Nelson lost their homes to the fire and are staying at a Red Cross shelter. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No specific power outage information was found. **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns were reported. **Burn Bans**: While not explicitly stated for this fire, officials emphasize the importance of checking burn ban notices due to wildfire risk. **Air Quality**: Smoke from the Burdoin Fire and other wildfires in Washington is contributing to hazy conditions statewide. Air quality in Central Washington is reported as good, but may affect those sensitive to air quality. Real-time smoke and air quality updates are available at: [https://fire.airnow.gov/](https://fire.airnow.gov/) ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: As of Monday morning, July 28, 2025, the Burdoin Fire is 54% contained. Firefighters have made significant progress, but continued efforts are needed to fully contain the fire, with an estimated containment date of August 18, 2025, mentioned earlier in the incident. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: Warmer temperatures, potentially in the 90s, and the risk of dry thunderstorms are forecast for the coming days, increasing the potential for new wildfires. While cooler temperatures and a lull in Gorge winds aided containment over the weekend, more wind and thunderstorms are expected this week. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are being used to pinpoint hotspots within the fire's interior to help ground resources extinguish them. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The cause of the Burdoin Fire remains undetermined and is under investigation. It is noted that the fire originated "near a road." **Weather and Climate**: The fire ignited during a period of hot, dry, and windy weather conditions, similar to those that continue to pose a challenge. The region is susceptible to fire due to these weather patterns, and officials emphasize that nearly 90% of wildfires in Washington are human-caused, highlighting the importance of prevention. ### For more information, visit:** * **InciWeb**: [https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7968/](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7968/) * **Klickitat County Emergency Management**: [https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/249/](https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/249/) * **Washington State Department of Natural Resources**: [https://www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfires](https://www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfires)

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