Was driving home in The Dalles and saw the smoke so thought I'd go over and see what was up. Went over the bridge and started going east on Hwy 14 towards the smoke. Saw the start of the fire and the fireman/firetrucks putting some water on it, including around a car but it didn't look like the car caught on fire. Drove further and pulled over at Horsethief Lake entrance, took pictures and just stood there and watched.
After a few minutes, I continued east on HWY 14 and saw lots of smoke and things on fire. Some places had the fired retardent on it but there were still places burning. Continued to see fireman and police. Could actually feel the heat from the fire because there were spots right off the road. Heard the crackle and smelled the burning wood.
After mile post 88, I turned around to go back and was stopped by a state trooper and told we had to turn around and cross over at hwy 97 turnoff...at this time we were about 12-15 miles away from that turnoff.
By the time, I got over the bridge and coming west on Hwy 84 back home, I could see some other spots down then sides of the cliffs, a train had to stop because the smoke was so thick, I could taste the smoke in the air and it had grown...by the time I got to the Dufur/Bend exit, I tried to go back and see it from the other side and there was a cop stopping traffic at the entrance of Hwy 14..so it was officially closed.
I live up the hill in the Dalles and can still see some smoke...and some emergency lights..so they are still working on it as of 8:45p Thursday evening
