SALEM, Ore -- Governor Kate Brown has declared the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to a fire that broke out in Wasco county late Wednesday night. 

The "Mosier Creek" fire is reported to be burning about 800 acres near the Columbia River Gorge. Governor Brown determined that the fire is a threat to life, safety and property, and that there is not enough local personnel and equipment to battle the flames.

The declaration allows the Office of State Fire Marshal to bring in more resources to assist local firefighting efforts. 

"With high temperatures and weather conditions helping fires grow quickly, I have invoked an emergency declaration to make more state resources available to the fire crews on the front lines in Wasco County and the Columbia River Gorge at the Mosier Creek fire," Governor Brown said. "I ask Oregonians to remember that preventing wildfires is critical this year, especially as we have fire crews on the frontlines during this pandemic. Be cautious and honor all burn bans, and keep our fire crews in your thoughts as they fight to protect our communities and the landscapes that surround them."

Residents of Osburne Cutoff, Vensel, Catron, Dry Creek, Carroll, Morgenson, and from Chenoweth Airport to Vensel/Ketchum road are on level 3 evacuations.

This is a developing story and will be updated with more details as they emerge.