Many decide to wait out Mosier wildfire

UPDATE: The voluntary evacuation order for Mosier, Ore., was lifted 3 p.m. Saturday.

MOSIER, Ore. – A fast-moving wildfire in the Columbia River Gorge closed Interstate 84 for a short time Friday night, grew to 800 acres, and forced some to evacuate.

Fire officials said the fire is on the heel of the town, is unpredictable, and has jumped the fire lines several times. While some people evacuated at the advice of officials, others decided to wait it out.

Barbara Ayers was one of the residents who decided to leave. She crammed her truck with the essentials, taking her beloved belongings while air crews attacked from above and 150 firefighters battled below.

The winds sent flames jumping, and at one point ignited a tree clearly visible from town, a sight people in a mobile home park saw from their backyard.

"Instead of coming down it was all red, going up maybe like a roman candle or something," said Willard Jeffries, who helped his daughter to evacuate.

As a helicopter buzzed overhead, and even with all the activity so close, Philip Davidson said he isn't budging.

"I probably will be one of the last ones to leave that's for sure,” he said.

He set up a chair, donned a mask, and made sure his house was thoroughly watered. With his front row seat he said he's protecting his property, but also has a getaway plan just in case.

"I could see the flames if I have to get out,” he said. “I get on the motorcycle and get out of here."

 Davidson said police told the mobile home park residents to leave.

 Others from Mosier took refuge at the Red Cross shelter at Hood River Middle School, but Davidson planned to watch the adventure unfold from his front yard.

He said he’ll know when it’s time for him to leave.

Firefighters said the fire is a wind-driven blaze, and they are hoping to catch a break at some point Friday night and Saturday morning.