Update (07-31-20 9:19 a.m.) – According to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, the Worthington Fire was 600 acres in size and 0% contained as of 7:45 a.m. Friday.
The fire is off Worthington road near the Brownsboro highway. Multiple agencies responded. As of 7 o’clock in the evening Thursday, Oregon Department of Forestry crews told us they were beginning the evacuation process with residents between the 1500 and 3200 blocks of Worthington Road. Oregon fire crews use levels of evacuation readiness – either ready, set or go – to prepare people who need to evacuate. Initially, it was unclear what level of evacuation people were under in the area. Crews did say that one ranch was threatened and firefighters were setting up a perimeter around it. NBC5’s closest reporter to the scene was with ODF, and they were also being moved from their staging area and further from the fire line.
According to ODF, it’s also windy in the area, so it called in six helicopters and four air tankers to help contain the flames. A tanker from Redmond, Oregon was on the way to assist with the fire. A U.S. Forest Service VLAT also dropped at least 90,000 gallons of water to assist with the flames.
The fire is burning on Bureau of Land Management land and private property. Two dozers are on scene, with two more called in to help. Pacific Power was also on the scene.
Worthington Road was closed for fire traffic.
The area is under a red flag warning. The cause is under investigation. We’ll have continuing coverage of this breaking news throughout the evening. Stay with NBC5 news on Facebook at KOBI-TV/NBC5.
Jennifer Elliott anchors the primetime newscast FOX26 First News at Ten on NBC5’s partner station, KMVU/FOX26. She also reports for NBC5 News. Jennifer began her career at NBC5 News in 2011 as a production assistant. Raised in Southern Oregon, she studied voice and piano while attending South Medford High School. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she returned home and added organ playing to her musical repertoire. In addition to her musical talents, Jennifer is an award-winning artist. She has also co-hosted Southern Oregon’s Got Talent. Jennifer is married and the mother of three children who keep her busy and very happy.
