Oregon Public Broadcasting

Firefighters continue to make progress on the Microwave Fire in the city of Mosier Monday.

Residents have returned to their homes after many evacuated on Friday.

Ethan Lindsey reports that authorities are still looking for the cause of the fire.

For years, forestry experts have been talking about the combustible growth of cities near dense forests. Jen Warren is with the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Jen Warren: “As they move farther out in those wildlands, there is a risk that their homes are at risk to wildland fire.”

And Paul Ries, at the Microwave Fire command post, says growth presents other dangers as well, especially in areas like the Columbia River Gorge.

Paul Ries: “The gorge winds can be quite phenomenal at times, and quite unpredictable. The other item, besides the winds, we were dealing with some very steep terrain – some near-vertical cliffs.”

One way to help firefighters is to set up wildfire protection plans in local communities. Warren, with the state, says Wasco County’s plan may have prevented homes from burning in Mosier.

Jen Warren: “The Microwave Fire probably is a really visible example of that situation here in Oregon.”

Warren notes the wildfires raging in Los Angeles are an indication of problem's national scope.