Burdoin Fire residents flee 'without hesitation'

WHITE SALMON, Wash. (KOIN) -- Anne and Ian Burns' home was in the path of the Burdoin Mountain Fire and they knew they had to evacuate quickly.

"I took a step out of the front door and just looked to my right and saw that our whole property was engulfed with all this orange smoke, and so I called the fire department right away," Anne Burns told KOIN 6 News.

The Burdoin Mountain Fire is burning east of Bingen, Wash. near Milepost 68, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire is in Klickitat County near the city of White Salmon, the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office said.

Saturday evening, the South East Washington Incident Management Team said the Burdoin Mountain Fire had expanded to 6506 acres.

They didn't hesitate to flee.

"We just without hesitation, grabbed photo albums because that's the first thing we thought about. And a little toiletry bag. And we hopped in the car," she said.

With their neighbors out of town, the Burns' grabbed their neighbor's dog, too.

"He saw the smoke and jumped right in the car, too," Ian said. "He's not a stupid dog."

Inciweb Info on Burdoin Fire

Anne said she was "shocked how fast it was spreading. That I didn't really anticipate. I thought we'd have more time."

The couple believes the fire passed their property but they can't go home yet.

"We're still under the evacuation notice because they still have Hotshot teams up there putting out hot spots," Ian said. "So we're considered the red zone still."

The fire -- 0% contained -- has damaged 37 residences, destroyed 14 homes and is threatening another 250, according to the Southeast Washington Incident Management Team. One firefighter was injured.

But the Burns said their house looks untouched.

"We went to Mosier and looked through the binoculars and it looks like the house is safe," Ian said. "Don't know about the barn and the other stuff, but big deal. The house is still there."

And they're giving credit to the first responders.

"I take my hat off to all the firefighters and the volunteers, all the guys and gals that were there," Ian said. "I mean, instantly dressing up and it's sort of nice to see where your tax dollars go."

In addition, a evacuation shelters have been established at Columbia High School in White Salmon, as well as the Dalles Middle School, officials said.

Anyone with livestock who needs animal evacuation assistance can contact the Klickitat County Emergency Operations Center.

The fire has also caused closures at SR 14, from the east end of Bingen to Lyle (mileposts 66-76). Further, Highway 142 is now closed from Hwy 14 to milepost 4 and Centerville Highway is also closed from Hwy 14 to milepost 5.