DUFUR, Ore. -- A new wildfire that just broke out in the Columbia River Gorge has closed Hwy. 197, and some people are being told to leave immediately.
Gov. Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act Wednesday in response to the South Valley Fire, which has burned several structures near Dufur.
"I am sending the resources the firefighters need on the ground to ensure they can act swiftly to keep families and homes safe," Brown said.
Firefighters said they believe the blaze started accidentally from a shed fire but is now stretching for miles.
The fire closed the highway from milepost 14 to milepost 34, and a detour was not established as of Wednesday evening. The Oregon Department of Transportation was on scene.
Farmers are driving around with water trying to save their crops.
The blaze is near the Long Hollow and Substation fires.
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