Mid Columbia Fire Rescue

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Mid Columbia Fire Rescue Serving Northern Wasco County with 110 sq. miles for Fire Protection and approximately 210 sq. miles for our Ambulance Service Area.

BACKYARD BURNING REMAINS CLOSED (10-13-26) Even though temperatures are cooling, fuels are still dry, and MCFR is still ...
10/13/2026

BACKYARD BURNING REMAINS CLOSED (10-13-26)

Even though temperatures are cooling, fuels are still dry, and MCFR is still responding to brushfires at this point in the year. Backyard burn season is still closed in Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue's service area.

Please continue to avoid debris burning until an official reopening announcement is made.

Thank you for keeping our communities safe.

Vehicle Crash/Brush Fire on Highway 30Tonight (10/10/26) MCFR responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 30, one mil...
10/11/2026

Vehicle Crash/Brush Fire on Highway 30

Tonight (10/10/26) MCFR responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 30, one mile west of The Dalles. The crash ignited a fire which spread into nearby dry brush and moved up a cliff face.

Firefighters quickly used extrication tools to free the occupant, provided emergency medical care, transported the patient, and contained the fire before it could spread further. Highway 30 was temporarily closed while crews worked the scene.

MCFR was assisted by deputies from the Wasco County Sheriff's Office and Dallesport Fire District, which responded with a brush engine and water tender to support suppression efforts.

This incident is a reminder that even in October, dry grass can still ignite from vehicle crashes, hot exhaust systems, dragging chains, and vehicle fires. A small spark can quickly become a brush fire.

10/10/2026

🔥 Crew 24 🔥

As the season begins to wrap up, we recognize Crew 24, Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue’s Wildland Fire Crew, for their hard work protecting our communities throughout the Columbia Gorge.

Through our Wildland Fuels Reduction Program, Crew 24 worked to reduce hazardous vegetation and improve defensible space—helping give firefighters a stronger chance to protect homes and property when fire threatens.

During fire season, Crew 24 also strengthened our response capacity, providing additional personnel ready to respond to wildland fires and support district operations when demand was high.

That work is built on partnerships. Working alongside neighboring fire agencies, the Oregon Department of Forestry, USFS Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, The Wildland Fire Service, BLM and the broader wildland fire community strengthens our ability to train, prepare, and respond together across the Gorge.

To Crew 24 and our partners: thank you for the commitment, and teamwork. Your work before the call and on the fireline makes a difference.

ORCHARD FIRE – FINAL UPDATEOctober 1, 2026The Orchard Fire is now 100% contained, and all assigned suppression resources...
10/01/2026

ORCHARD FIRE – FINAL UPDATE

October 1, 2026

The Orchard Fire is now 100% contained, and all assigned suppression resources have been released from the incident.

Following several days of suppression, firing operations, containment-line construction, mop-up, hazard mitigation, and patrol, crews have successfully secured the fire perimeter. Updated mapping places the fire at approximately 155 acres.

At this time, no firefighting crews are committed to the Orchard Fire. Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR) and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will continue to monitor the fire area and respond if conditions require additional action.

Regional Partnerships Make the Difference

The successful response to the Orchard Fire demonstrates the importance of automatic aid, mutual aid, and regional partnerships throughout the Columbia Gorge.

Wildland fires can quickly exceed the capabilities of any single agency. The ability to rapidly bring together personnel, engines, water tenders, heavy equipment, hand crews, command staff, and specialized resources provides communities throughout the Gorge with a coordinated and scalable response when fires occur.

These established partnerships allow agencies to share resources, reinforce initial-attack operations, protect communities, and sustain firefighting efforts during extended incidents while continuing to maintain emergency response capabilities throughout the region.

MCFR and ODF would like to recognize and thank the firefighters, hand crews, equipment operators, dispatchers, investigators, cooperating agencies, mutual-aid and automatic-aid partners, and support personnel who contributed to the response.

We also thank residents and community members for their cooperation and support throughout the incident.

While smoke from larger interior fuels may occasionally remain visible, the fire perimeter is secure and the incident is 100% contained.

This will be the final scheduled public information update for the Orchard Fire unless conditions significantly change.

Orchard Fire Unified Command
Oregon Department of Forestry | Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue

Strong regional partnerships. Shared resources. One mission: protecting our communities.

Today, Firefighter Brian Pfealy was sworn in by Fire Chief David Jensen as he officially transitioned from Apprentice Fi...
09/30/2026

Today, Firefighter Brian Pfealy was sworn in by Fire Chief David Jensen as he officially transitioned from Apprentice Firefighter to full-time regular firefighter with Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue.

Over the past year and a half, Brian has dedicated himself to serving our community, developing his skills, and growing as a member of the MCFR family. His hard work, commitment, and positive attitude have made this achievement well deserved.

This milestone reflects the dedication Brian has shown throughout his apprenticeship, and we are excited to see his continued growth and service to the communities we are honored to protect.

Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Pfealy on this accomplishment.

Congratulations, Brian. We're proud to have you on the team!

ORCHARD FIRE – DAY SHIFT UPDATESeptember 30, 2026The Orchard Fire remains under Unified Command with the Oregon Departme...
09/30/2026

ORCHARD FIRE – DAY SHIFT UPDATE

September 30, 2026

The Orchard Fire remains under Unified Command with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR).

Crews patrolled and monitored the fire perimeter overnight, checking containment lines and addressing remaining hotspots. No additional fire growth occurred overnight. Updated mapping places the fire at approximately 155 acres.

Today, firefighters will continue strengthening and securing containment lines while conducting mop-up approximately 150 feet into the fire perimeter where terrain and conditions allow. Existing roads and mechanically constructed dozer lines make up most of the containment perimeter.

Some portions of the fire area contain steep slopes, rolling rock and debris, and hazardous trees, limiting how far crews can safely work into the burned area. Crews will focus their efforts where conditions allow safe and effective access.

Resources

* One 20-person hand crew
* Seven engines
* Overhead and command personnel

Firefighters will continue locating and extinguishing remaining hotspots, reinforcing containment lines, removing hazards as necessary, and monitoring for changes in fire behavior.

Fire investigators from ODF, MCFR, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will continue their work today and are expected to complete the investigation.

Weather conditions remain favorable for suppression and mop-up operations, despite warmer temperatures and lighter winds.

Smoke may remain visible within the fire perimeter as larger fuels and isolated interior hotspots continue to smolder. This activity is expected during the mop-up phase and does not necessarily indicate fire growth outside established containment lines.

Because crews have made substantial progress, operational updates will be issued once daily beginning today.

Additional information will be released as conditions or operations change.

Orchard Fire Unified Command
Oregon Department of Forestry | Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue

ORCHARD FIRE – NIGHT SHIFT UPDATESeptember 29, 2026 The Orchard Fire remains under Unified Command with the Oregon Depar...
09/30/2026

ORCHARD FIRE – NIGHT SHIFT UPDATE

September 29, 2026

The Orchard Fire remains under Unified Command with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR).

Crews made continued progress today securing and reinforcing containment lines around the fire perimeter. Firefighters also worked to locate and extinguish remaining hotspots, completing mop-up approximately 50–150 feet into the fire perimeter depending on terrain and conditions.

Some portions of the fire area contain steep slopes, rolling rock and debris, and hazardous trees, which limit how far crews can safely work into the burned area. Firefighter safety remains a priority as crews continue mop-up and containment operations in these areas.

No additional fire growth occurred today, and the Orchard Fire remains estimated at 165 acres.

Fire investigators from ODF, MCFR, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) worked throughout the day and will continue the investigation tomorrow. Investigators anticipate completing their field work by approximately mid-day.

Tonight, firefighters will continue patrol operations, monitoring the fire perimeter, checking containment lines, and addressing any hotspots or changes until day-shift resources return tomorrow morning.

Overnight weather is expected to remain favorable, with cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity. These conditions reduce fire activity and provide crews additional opportunity to strengthen containment and continue securing the fire perimeter.

Smoke may remain visible while larger fuels and isolated hotspots continue to smolder.

Additional information will be released as conditions or operations change.

Orchard Fire Unified Command
Oregon Department of Forestry | Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue

MCFR crews along with OSP, ODOT and Wasco County Sheriffs Office were out at Milepost 82 Eastbound I84 for a MVC. Expect...
09/29/2026

MCFR crews along with OSP, ODOT and Wasco County Sheriffs Office were out at Milepost 82 Eastbound I84 for a MVC. Expect delays in the area.

09/29/2026

ORCHARD FIRE – DAY SHIFT UPDATE

September 29, 2026

The Orchard Fire remains under Unified Command with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue (MCFR).

Crews monitored the fire and patrolled along the perimeter throughout the night. No new fire growth occurred during the night shift, and the fire remains estimated at approximately 165 acres.

Today, firefighters will continue strengthening containment lines and conducting mop-up operations, working approximately 100–150 feet into the fire perimeter where terrain and conditions allow. Existing road systems and mechanically constructed dozer lines make up the majority of the containment perimeter.

Resources assigned to the fire for today’s day shift include:

* 6 engines
* 1 water tender
* 1 dozer
* 1 20-person hand crew
* Unified Command and overhead personnel

Crews will continue identifying and extinguishing hotspots, improving containment lines, removing hazards as needed, and securing the fire perimeter.

Fire investigators will also continue their investigation today into the fire’s origin and cause.

Weather conditions are expected to remain favorable for suppression operations, with cooler temperatures and winds of approximately 10–12 mph over the fire area. Firefighters will continue monitoring weather and fire behavior throughout the operational period.

Smoke may continue to be visible from within the fire perimeter as interior fuels and hotspots smolder during mop-up operations.

Additional information will be released as conditions or operations change.

Orchard Fire Unified Command
Oregon Department of Forestry | Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue

Address

1400 W 8th Street
The Dalles, OR
97058

Telephone

+15412969445

Website

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