JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – People living in and around the rural community of O’Brien, Oregon can now rest a little easier after evacuation levels were lowered.
The Slater Fire started on September 7 near the community of Happy Camp, California, burning dozens of homes in the area.
The fire quickly grew to nearly 150,000 acres in just a few days, prompting numerous evacuations in the area before growth of the fire eventually slowed.
As of September 22, the evacuation level in O’Brien was lowered from a Level 2 (be set) to Level 1 (be ready). The current Level 3 (go) evacuation level is being reduced to a Level 2 evacuation level for all residents in the area of Wood Creek Road and Shepherd Hill Road in Josephine County.
In California, evacuation orders remain in effect for areas heavily damaged in Indian Creek. Some addresses along Redwood Highway above 37265 remain in Level 3 status.
Residents of Happy Camp were allowed to return this past Sunday.
Beginning September 23, a wildfire call center will be open for Josephine County residents between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. You can call (541) 474-5305 with any questions or concerns about evacuations, road closures or other effects of wildfires.
Two people were killed in the fire, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said.
The cause of the Slater Fire, which is 22% contained, remains under investigation.
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