One person has died from the Substation Fire that began near The Dalles, Oregon, and grew to 50,000 acres by July 19, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Local officials found the victim near a burned tractor on the afternoon of July 18. The victim, who’s identity has not been released, appeared to be trying to make a fire line to protect their home, according to Oregon Live.
The Substation Fire sparked on July 17 and prompted residents to evacuate soon after. Evacuation orders were issued for the city of Moro and the Macks Canyon area on July 18. Other areas were previously issued level 3 evacuations.
About 75 households in Wasco County were also evacuated on July 17, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire on July 18. In a press conference on July 19, Brown said the state would begin to help investigate the cause of a blaze.
This video shows the fire burning from the fire line on Gordon Ridge Road near Highway 206 in Wasco, Oregon. Credit: Substation Fire via Storyful