The Tunnel 5 Fire burning in Skamania County in Southwest Washington has reached 80% containment as of Monday morning, up from 65% the day before.
The fire has burned 529 acres since it began July 2 in the unincorporated area of Underwood across from Hood River. The fire response team of 256 people includes 11 engines, four crews, two helicopters and three dozers.
Washington State Route 14 remains closed between mile markers 56 to 65 due to the fire.
A firefighter sprays water from hose onto smoldering hillside during mop-up operations at the Tunnel 5 Fire area on July 6, 2023.
Courtesy Washington State Department of Natural Resources
On Saturday, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office reduced evacuation levels for all Tunnel 5 Fire affected areas to Level 1. According to the sheriff’s office, a level 1 notice indicates for residents to be ready in the event that an evacuation is necessary.
According to the interagency Southwest Washington Fire Information Facebook page, Monday’s status report will be the last update about the Tunnel 5 Fire on the page, since “Northwest Team 12 will transition to a type 4 organization starting tomorrow.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The estimated full containment date for the fire is Aug. 1.