Evacuation notices were issued for portions of Horsethief Lake State Park in Klickitat County, Washington last weekend as multiple simultaneous brush fires erupted across the Columbia Gorge, prompting a coordinated emergency response involving fire agencies on both sides of the river.

The evacuation notices were triggered by fast-moving grass and brush fires near Dallesport and Columbia Hills State Park on the Washington side of the Gorge, where erratic winds complicated firefighter efforts to establish containment lines. Residents and park visitors in the affected areas were directed to leave immediately as smoke and fire conditions created rapidly changing hazards.

Blackwell Road Fire: Evacuation Orders Lifted in Southern Oregon

In Southern Oregon, the Blackwell Road Fire near Central Point in Jackson County also prompted evacuation orders earlier this month before officials were able to contain the blaze at approximately 30 acres. The fire broke out during a High Wind Warning issued by the National Weather Service in Medford, which combined dry vegetation and gusting winds to create rapid initial fire spread. Evacuation orders in that incident have since been lifted, and the fire is considered contained.

Idaho Evacuations Near Summit Creek Fire

Families living near Oakley, Idaho were also displaced this week as the Summit Creek Fire in the Sawtooth National Forest grew to 1,500 acres in Cassia County. The Cassia County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation notices for properties in the fire's path, urging residents to leave and move livestock when safely possible. Officials said the rapidly evolving fire behavior on steep terrain made it necessary to clear residential areas ahead of defensive fire operations.

Know Your Evacuation Levels

Oregon and Washington both use a three-level evacuation system that residents should understand before fire season reaches its peak:

  • Level 1 – Be Ready: Be aware of the danger, monitor local media, and prepare to leave quickly if conditions worsen.
  • Level 2 – Be Set: Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Displacement may be necessary on short notice.
  • Level 3 – Go Now: Leave immediately. Do not delay to gather belongings or wait for more information.

Emergency managers across the region urge residents in fire-prone areas to sign up now for county emergency alert systems, prepare go-bags, and identify at least two evacuation routes from their homes. With fire season accelerating earlier than normal in 2026, officials stress that the time to prepare is before a fire is burning nearby — not during an active emergency.