Two Four Two fire prompts evacuations at Collier State Park

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. – UPDATE: 6:40 A.M.- There is now a Level 3 Evacuation for Oregon Shores 2 at Agency Lake. The Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputies and local firefighters are notifying residents. Anyone in the area should evacuate immediately. Oregon Shores 1 is under a level 2 evacuation notice and should be ready to leave immediately if necessary.

The Two Four Two Fire is now more than 2,000 acres travelling quickly to the south-southwest.

There are currently 400 homes threatened.

The closure on U.S. Highway 97 now extends from the junction with Oregon State Highway 62 south of Chiloquin to Forest Road 9732 at Oux Kanee Overlook. Oregon State Highway 422 North is also closed, as well as Highway 62 between Highway 97 and Highway 422 North.

UPDATE: 5:00A.M. – The Fremont-Winema National Forest Service is upgrading evacuation levels for those near the Two Four Two fire.

It says the fire jumped Highway 422 North which means all level 1 evacuations on the south side of Hwy 422 North to the junction of Hwy 97 and Hwy 62 south of Chiloquin have been increased to a Level 3 Evacuation.

It also says anyone to the south-southwest of the fire, including the Agency Lake are, should be ready for a potential evacuation.

The fire is currently active between Hwy 97 to the east, Hwy 62 to the west, Hwy 422 North and Hwy 422 South. It continues to be wind-driven, moving to the south and southwest. The fire is currently estimated to have burned at least 4 miles from its initial point and the winds are not letting up.

Firefighters would like to thank everyone who has followed the evacuation orders and to law enforcement for getting people out. This has allowed firefighters to focus on protecting firefighter safety and trying to help impacted properties.

Please bear in mind, this fire is moving extremely fast – firefighters and law enforcement have been working through the night to stay ahead of the fire for the safety of our neighbors and communities. This is a dynamic and rapidly changing situation. We are trying to get information out as quickly and effectively as possible.

UPDATE 11:00 P.M. – A press release sent by the Fremont-Winema National Forest Service says the fire is now estimated to be over 1,000 acres with no containment.

It says 20 engines, 2 handcrews and 5 bulldozers are battling the fire currently.

Many evacuations are in place:

There is a Level 3 Evacuation for Collier State Park and residents to the west of the State Park, as well as residents in Woodland Park. Most of the residents in the area have been evacuated.

There is a Level 2 Evacuation notice in place for Oregon State Highway 422 North between Highway 97 and Oregon State Highway 62, as well as for Highway 62 between mileposts 94 and 98 – from the intersection with Highway 422 North to the State Fish Hatchery. Residents in this area should be prepared to evacuate quickly if notified.

There is a Level 1 Evacuation notice south of Highway 422 North to the junction of Highways 97 and 62 south of Chiloquin. Residents in this area should be monitoring the situation and taking measures to prepare for evacuation.

The Fremont-Winema National Forest Service began fighting the Two Four Two fire on Labor Day. It’s burning north of Chiloquin. Part of Highway 97 was closed between the intersection with State Highway 422, also known as South Chiloquin Road, north to Forest Road 9732 at Oux Kanee Overlook.

According to the National Forest Service, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office was in the process of evacuating Collier Memorial State Park. The Kla-mo-ya Casino was established as a temporary shelter.

NFS said it would release further details late Monday night.