Criminal investigation underway in deadly Substation fire 7/19/2018

WASCO — A criminal investigation is underway in the Substation fire, which has killed one person and burned more than 50,000 acres in north central Oregon.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill referred to a criminal investigation but declined to answer questions about the inquiry because he didn’t want to jeopardize the investigation.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a day after declaring a statewide fire emergency, said earlier Thursday that she anticipates “a very difficult fire season,” one that has hit the state nearly a month earlier than usual.

The governor held a morning news conference in Salem and addressed the destruction of the Substation fire, which is burning southeast of The Dalles, as well as conditions statewide.

Southern Oregon has 200 fires burning, primarily in Jackson and Josephine counties, after lightning strikes over the weekend, she said.

Brown said the Substation fire will have a significant effect on Oregon’s wheat farmers and agriculture industry.

“This is definitely our wheat basket, and it’s going to impact Oregon, it’s going to impact the world,” she said.

The man who died, 64-year-old John Ruby, was found in a burned tractor about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday morning. It appears the longtime Wasco County resident was trying to protect his neighbor’s property by making a fire line, according to the agency.

“Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this death,” Brown said.

Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Substation fire early Wednesday morning, allowing more in- and out-of-state resources to be funneled into the fire.

Hours later, she declared a statewide wildfire emergency, activating a standing agreement with the Oregon National Guard that makes helicopters and troops available to fight fires at the request of the Oregon Department of Forestry.

An estimate on Substation fire containment is still being determined after wind gusts of at least 25 miles an hour had firefighters spread throughout Wasco and Sherman counties on Wednesday.

The fire has caused widespread evacuation orders. More than 900 homes have been issued level 2 (be set) and 3 (go now) notices.

Level 3 evacuations were in place for the small cities of Moro and Grass Valley and the area from Macks Canyon to the mouth of the Deschutes River as of Wednesday evening. Wasco is under a level 2 order.

Oregon 206 is closed between its junctions with Celilo Village and U.S. 97. A section of highway between Biggs Junction and Oregon 206 is also closed. Get the latest traffic closures by checking Tripcheck.com.

The Oregon Department of Transportation warned motorists that no fuel is available north of Madras on 97 and no fuel or services are available in Biggs.

Destroyed structures could be seen on half a dozen properties in the area near 15 Mile Creek and the burned-down Charles E. Emerson farmhouse Wednesday afternoon.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to help fight the fire because it threatened “a major disaster,” the agency said in a news release. The threats include about 600 homes, 400 of which are primary residences. The fire also threatened major Oregon and California transmission lines, numerous substations, U.S. 97, the Deschutes River National Scenic Waterway and recreational areas, FEMA said.

Simmons, the fire marshal spokesman, predicted Thursday’s weather conditions would be similar to Wednesday’s.

The more than 178 firefighters from 32 different counties fighting the blaze are continuing to fight the fire by land and air, he said.

“We’re fully engaged from southwest Oregon up to northeast Oregon,” said Doug Grafe, fire protection chief with the Oregon Department of Forestry. He said air quality issues like those experienced last summer are expected for the state.

Several agencies are investigating the fire, according to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office. The agency urged anyone who has information to call 800-452-7888. No cause has been determined.

— Anna Spoerre

Jim Ryan and Shane Dixon Kavanaugh of the Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.