Wildfire Forces The Closure Of Wasco, OR County Fair

According to the Wasco County Sheriff, the Grasshopper Fire claimed six homes and 15 outbuildings, as it grew Wednesday to 83,000 acres.  County Commissioner Jeff Justesen said the Oregon fire has been unpredictable with rapidly changing winds endangering the fairgrounds in Tygh Valley.

"That’s pushing the fire toward us, where the fire’s still burning," he said.

Due to the risk, the County Fair is now canceled, it was scheduled to kick of Thursday.  If the fire shifted again, officials determined trying to evacuate everyone from the fairgrounds at once was unnecessarily risky.  Leah Lowe, with Wasco County 4-H, says it would have also put livestock in danger.

"Even if we can get them out, where do I take pigs for you guys to pick them up if we do evacuate?" Lowe asked.  "How do we get steers back to kids in an emergency situation?"

Lowe said she is working on an alternative event for 4-H kids to still auction off their animals, which helps fund next year’s program.

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