JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – A fire that started Wednesday in the Sams Valley area north of Gold Hill has grown to 800 acres, triggering Level 3 (go) evacuation warnings.
The Oregon Department of Forestry said the Ramsey Canyon Road Fire now threatens 211 structures less than a day after it started.
Overnight, firefighters completed a control line around about 30% of the fire’s perimeter. Structural task forces were also busy trying to protect homes and making risk assessments. The fire is officially considered 15% contained.
Thursday morning, Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared the fire a “conflagration.” This will allow state resources to be deployed as needed. It’s expected that four structural task forces from nearby counties will arrive to help the fight.
Over 360 personnel are being utilized to fight the Ramsey Canyon Road Fire. Air tankers will be used as needed when conditions allow.
“It is important to note that this is the same location as the 1994 Hull Mountain Fire where a firefighter fatality happened so close to home,” ODF said. “We are keeping firefighter and public safety on the forefront of our thoughts, as always, and each crew is being asked to review their ‘watch out’ situations throughout the day.”
As of 9:00 a.m. Thursday, the Oregon State Fire Marshal said a Level 3 evacuation notice was in place for Ramsey Road beginning at address 13469 and proceeding north to the Meadows Road intersection and Meadows Road proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 1700.
A Level 2 (be set) evacuation notice is in place for East Evans Creek Road from West Fork Evans Creek Road beginning with the address 16840 to Antioch Road ending at the address 22185, Meadows Road, the addresses 16840, 16880,16901 and 16933.
The Red Cross has set up an evacuation shelter at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill. A temporary livestock shelter is being set up at the Jackson County Expo.
An interactive map of evacuation levels can be found at https://bit.ly/2uUku2C
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.