Clatskanie Wildfire Burns Nearly 30 Acres Along Highway 47 Sunday

CLATSKANIE, OR — Following the containment of a fire that burned nearly 30 acres near Clatskanie Sunday, Highway 47 has been full reopened Monday morning, according to Oregon Department of Forestry officials.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said, noting 356 wildfires have burnt about 442 acres of ODF-protected land in Oregon through the first half of 2017, and about 82 percent of those fires were caused by people.

The fire was first reported around 11:30 a.m. July 16, officials said. It reportedly started on private, ODF-protected land and required 10 miles of Highway 47 — between mileposts 1 and 11 — to be closed for several hours.

About 70 people from multiple agencies, including the ODF and local fire departments, fought the blaze, officials said. ODF personnel from Columbia City, Forest Grove, and Astoria were assisted by fire crews from Clatskanie, Scappoose, Vernonia, Washington County, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District, Knappa Fire District, and Columbia River Fire & Rescue.

Two helicopters and two single-engine air tankers also helped battle the fire, officials said.

Clatskanie is a rural community in the Northwest horn of the state, just over 60 miles from Portland.

Image: Ylvers via Pixabay.com