4 minutes

Dennis Katsnelson

A devastating wildfire broke out in Klickitat County, Washington, on Friday and quickly spread throughout the area. The fire has already exceeded 30,000 acres in size, prompting the imposition of a level three evacuation and forcing residents to leave their homes immediately. The fire started Friday afternoon near Newell Road and Dot Road and quickly spread in several directions, threatening homes, outbuildings, livestock, crops, solar and wind farms, and critical infrastructure such as the Williams Pipeline and the Roosevelt Landfill.

We took this video from KPTV FOX 12 Oregon YouTube Channel.

The fire was so severe that the Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency in the county Friday night. As of Saturday morning, the fire was not contained and continued to grow out of control. The fire has already destroyed numerous structures and is putting more people at risk. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fire and protect people and property in its path.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for the neighborhood, declaring levels 1, 2 and 3 depending on the level of danger. Roads were also closed to prevent people from traveling in and out of the affected areas. Among the roads closed are Roosevelt Grade Road, Middle Road and Old Highway 8 north to and including Dot Road.

The forest fire has caused widespread panic and anxiety among Klickitat County residents. Many are worried about their homes, animals and livelihoods as the blaze continues to grow out of control. Authorities are urging everyone to stay safe and follow all evacuation orders and highway closures until the situation is brought under control.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of wildfires and how important it is to be prepared for such emergencies. With climate change causing more extreme weather and droughts, wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense across the United States. It is very important to take steps to protect yourself, your community, and the environment from the devastating effects of these fires.