JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore — The lightning-caused Rum Creek fire has tripled in size from windy conditions in the area late Friday night – forcing several evacuation notices.
Officials say strong winds in the area increased fire activity, and caused spot fires on both sides of the Rogue River. The fire quickly pushed uphill and the intensity formed a pyrocumulus cloud.
The cloud collapsed which caused gustier winds, and pushed the fire to the south and east.
The fire is currently 4,319 acres and is 0% contained.
Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the increased emergency. The declaration deploys strike teams from the Oregon State Fire Marshal, to help control the fire and assist with structure protection.
Officials note that the Rogue River is closed to boating from Hog Creek through the Wild section for fire operations.
Evacuations are below (Updated as of 8:36 pm Saturday)
LEVEL 3 GO : North of Indian Mary Park and Stratton Creek Road. South of Belknap Gulch and Stratton Creek. East of the Rogue River. West of Hog Creek Road and Hog Creek. North of Galice Rd. South of the Rogue River and Lower Graves Creek Rd. East of Howard Creek.
LEVEL 2 – BE SET: North of Onion Mountain Road, Shan Creek Road and Briggs Valley Road. South of Galice Access Road and Galice Road. East of Taylor Camp Road and Hansen Creek Road. West of Buckhorn Mountain, Little Picket P Line. North of Galice Road. South of Tom East Creek, includes Brockman and Avery Gulch area. East of Hog Creek. West of Crow Road and Quartz Creek Road.
LEVEL 1 – BE READY: North of Robertson Bridge Road and Riverbanks Road. South of Tom East Creek, includes Brockman and Avery Gulch area. East of Hog Creek and the Rogue River. West of Crow Road and Quartz Creek Road. North of Shan Creek. South of Buckhorn Mountain. East of Burned Timber Creek. West of the Rogue River and Griffin Park area. North of Lower Grave Creek Road. South of Douglas County line. East of Bunker Creek. West of Sugarloaf.
This is a developing story and more details will be updated on this article as it emerges.
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