The sternwheeler COLUMBIA GORGE was ready for the Mid-day cruise.
Then from up river, is it clouds, dust or ?
Normally wind in the gorge is from the ocean to the west, strong, cool & moist.
The fire is on the south bank along Interstate 84 (I-84). Of course now the gental winds have picked up, the fire builds fast & quickly moves west toward the town of Casade Locks.
A chopper show up to evaluate the dire situation. Not good & about to get worse.
This fire is exploding down the Gorge!
The fire is burning along I-84 and has jumped all 4 lanes of the interstate. this is not good!
Then we realize the drops are not being made on the fire itself but on buildings in the imediate path of the fire. The pilot is persistant, accurate & effective.
While docking, the chopper is wetting down a building only 1,000 yrds east of town. Some of us on board realize we will need gasoline and make a dash for the only station in town. He was closing for evacuation as we arrived. He graciously topped us up and prepared to leave. |
Passangers boarded & settled in for a crystal clear afternoon on the mighty Columbia River.
But today the winds are out of the east from the interior Columbia Basin, hot & dry. Yes, those are clouds of smoke!!
Tourists on the sternwheeler are making the most of the unfolding event by taking pictures of course! It is soon realized the fire is heading towards our disembarking dock back at Cascade Locks where the vehicles are parked! The relaxing cruise becomes tense as we head for the dock!
The water chopper arrives to grab a teacup of water for a precision drop. while
the wind surfers grab great wind. Why worry, be happy!
On board the sternwheeler we can now hear the constatnt wail of police & fire sirens. The captin announces all passangers are to quickly evacuate the town after disembarking.
Choppers make repeated water pickups though from our vantagepoint it looks futile. To do that job I'm sure incureable optomists are requied!
Captians anouncement! I-84 is closed both directions & all traffic out must return to Portland or cross the Cascade Locks bridge to the Washington side of the gorge.
Just anothe day on the Blue Planet!
The traffic jam was horrendous. Those making it accross the bridge or back towards Portland were lucky. The East bound traffic had nowhere to go and hundereds of cars were abandoned as people started walking back towards Portland & away from the fire. After all was said and done, some buisnesses, houses & stuff were burned (including the home of the gas station operator). Guard rails & asphalt melted but to the best of my knowledge nobody died and the town survived. WOW what a day!!!! |
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