A rapidly expanding wildfire in southern Washington State has consumed more than 10,730 acres near the town of Bingen, with containment efforts still at zero percent as of Monday morning.
The fire, named the Burdoin Fire, was first reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18. It continues to burn through dry grass, brush, and timber along the Columbia River corridor, presenting serious challenges to firefighting crews and prompting a series of evacuations and road closures across Klickitat County.
In a press release issued Monday, the Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 13 confirmed it had assumed operational control of the fire response. Currently, 417 firefighting personnel are assigned to the incident, with support from 56 engines, five bulldozers, and four helicopters conducting aerial water drops drawn from the Columbia River.
Although the fire remains active and uncontained, officials say cooler temperatures and increased humidity are expected to help suppress the fire’s intensity. Winds are forecasted to range between 7 and 21 miles per hour, with stronger gusts of up to 23 miles per hour anticipated on nearby ridgelines.
Road Closures and Public Safety Measures
As of Monday, State Route 14 remains closed between Milepost 66, east of Bingen, and Milepost 76, west of Lyle. Additional closures include Highway 142 from SR-14 to Milepost 5, and Centerville Highway from SR-14 to Centerville.
Motorists are urged to seek alternate routes, while recreational boaters are advised to exercise caution on the Columbia River between The Dalles Port and White Salmon due to aerial firefighting operations in the area.
Evacuation Orders in Place
Evacuation levels remain in effect throughout parts of Klickitat County. These include:
- Level 3 – Go Now
- Level 2 – Be Set
- Level 1 – Be Ready
Authorities are asking residents to monitor the Klickitat County 911 Dispatch/Emergency Management Facebook page for updates on evacuation zones and fire behavior.
Fire Management and Community Impact
The fire is being managed as a full-suppression incident with an emphasis on protecting residential communities, infrastructure, tribal lands, and natural resources in Bingen, Lyle, High Prairie, and surrounding areas.
“The Burdoin Fire is being managed as a full suppression incident,” the Northwest 13 team stated. “Primary objectives are to minimize impacts to communities and community infrastructure in Bingen, Lyle, and High Prairie, as well as the Yakama Nation lands and natural resources.”
The cause of the fire remains undetermined and is currently under investigation, according to federal wildfire monitoring service InciWeb.
Officials estimate full containment may be achieved by Tuesday, July 29, depending on progress made and prevailing weather conditions.
This is a developing story. The Lagos Today will provide further updates as new information becomes available.
