Update (8/4 10am): Fire officials say fire personnel made significant progress on the Oregon Gulch Fire. The fire has consumed 36,568 acres and is 20% contained.
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Update (8/4 10am): Fire officials say firepersonnel made significant progress on theOregon Gulch Fire. The fire has consumed 36,568 acres andis 20% contained.
All prior evacuations are still in place. You can view them below. Fire officials sent the following message to the public regarding evacuations: The public is encouraged to be respectful of evacuation orders. The orders are in place for public and firefighter safety Public entry into closed areas can hamper the firefighting effort by slowing response to the fire.
For the Beaver Complex, 270 homes and 50 outbuildings are threatened; 6 homes have been destroyed.
Update (8/3 10:25pm): Fire crews say the Oregon Gulch fire has now consumed 36,568 acres and now 20% contained.
All prior evacuations are still in place. You can view them below.
Update (8/3 10:55am): Fire crews say the Oregon Gulch fire has now consumed 32,477 acres and remains 10% contained.
Update (8/2 11:29pm): Officials have revised the total acreage of the Oregon Gulch fire to 31,918 acres and 10% containment.
The Klamath County Sheriff has put in place a level 3 evacuation order in the Klamath River canyon from John C. Boyle Dam to the California border. This includes Topsy Grade Road and Picard Road and all other normally accessible roads south of Highway 66 east to the Klamath County line in Oregon.
Evacuation levels
LEVEL 1: A Level 1 Evacuation means “BE READY” for potential evacuation
Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
LEVEL 2: A Level 2 Evacuation means “BE SET” to evacuate. YOU MUST PREPARE TO LEAVE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE.
This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.
THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE THAT YOU RECEIVE
Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
LEVEL 3: A Level 3 Evacuation means “GO” Evacuate NOW, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!
Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST NOTICE THAT YOU RECEIVE
Entry to evacuated areas may be denied until conditions are safe. Area radio and TV stations have been asked to broadcast periodic updates.
Level 1 evacuation notices are are still in place for all residents between Hyatt Lake Road on Highway 66 to the 22,000 block of Highway 66 on the Ashland side of Highway 66 only.
Level 3 evacuations are still in place on Copco Road from Highway 66 to Beaver Creek Road in California on the north side of Copco Lake only.
Update (8/2 8:56am): Officials have revised the total acreage of the Oregon Gulch fire to 21,088 acres and only 5% containment.
Officials also say that a total of 3 homes, 5 outbuildings (barns, sheds, etc.), and multiple vehicles have been lost to this fire.
Officials have also clarified the current level 1 evacuations on Highway 66 near the fire. Level 1 notices are being given this morning to all residents between Hyatt Lake Road on Highway 66 to the 22,000 block of Highway 66. A level 1 evacuation means be prepared.
Level 3 evacuations are still in place on Copco Road from Highway 66 to Beaver Creek Road in California on the north side of Copco Lake only. A level 3 evacuation means residents must leave immediately.
Update (8/1 10:24pm): Oregon’s Governor Kitzhaber has officially declared the Oregon Gulch Fire a conflagration meaning resources will be freed up from across the state to battle this fire.
Officials in California have placed a mandatory evacuation on Copco Road to Beaver Creek Road on the north side of Copco Lake only.
Officials have also placed a portion of Highway 66 near Copco Road on a level 1 evacuation meaning residents in the area should be ready to evacuate.
Copco Road is still under a level 3 evacuation meaning residents must leave immediately.
Update (8/1 3:45pm): Officials have confirmed that the Oregon Gulch Fire has claimed one home and around 28 homes are threatened.
Update (8/1 1pm) The Oregon Gulch fire is currently the largest fire in the state. According to officials, the fire has now reached 11,000 acres and is 5% contained. ODF officials say 170 structures are threatened and multiple outbuildings have been destroyed. NBC5’s Roma Villavicencio is on scene to bring you the latest update on this developing story.
Update (7/31 9:30pm): Officials have again revised the approximate size of the fire to 5,300 acres. The fire has grown approximately 5,000 acres in less than 5 hours. Level 3 evacuations are still in place.
Update (7/31 7:02pm): Officials have revised the approximate size of the fire to 3,000 acres. Level 3 evacuations are still in place.
Update (7/31 6:15pm) According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Gulch Fire is at 1,700 acres and a level 3 evacuation is in effect for Copco Road from the 6000 block south to Box D Ranch.
That means residents in that area should leave immediately.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says there will not be any door to door evacuations due to the unsafe conditions.
There is a safe zone identified for people at Fall Creek Ranch, just south of the fire area.
According to The Sheriff’s Office, if you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. Do not delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home.
The fire is burning in a northeast direction.
ODF says fire suppression resources assigned to the fire include 12 bulldozers, eight wildfire fire engines, and three 20-person crews.
Helicopters and air tankers have been dropping water and retardant on the fire most of the afternoon.
Update (7/31 5pm) According to ODF the wind is making it tough for firefighters are pulled out right now because its too dangerous.
The fire is estimated to be at 1,000 acres and growing rapidly.
Ashland, Ore. — The Jackson County Sheriff’s office said there is now a Level 1 evacuation notice for all residents on COPCO Road near Ashland. The Oregon Gultch fire, caused by lightning has the potential of threatening residents in the area.
ODF officials said the fire is more than 450-500 acres in size and is growing rapidly.Copco Road is closed at its intersection with hwy. 66, just east of Pinehurst.
Level One evacuation means BE READY for a potential evacuation.
Officials said residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services pe
rsonnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
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