PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Lionshead and Beachie Creek fires remain the 2 biggest wildfires burning in Oregon, combining to torch nearly 400,000 acres of land mostly in Marion and Linn counties.
The Lionshead Fire “is a full suppression fire. It is 199,022 acres and 13% contained,” officials said in a late Monday update. A virtual community meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday on the Lionshead Fire Facebook page.
The Beachie Creek Fire is 192,736 acres and is 38% contained officials said. “Additional hot shot crews and Canadian firefighters are directly attacking hot spots Monday on the Beachie Creek fire.”
Al Nash, the public information officer for the Beachie Creek Fire in Marion County, said areas where the fire swept through that now appear to be burned over and safe to walk through can be deceiving.
“I think there’s a perception that a wildland fire is like building a campfire—it burns brightly for a while and then it burns completely out,” explained Nash. “It’s going to be hot for a long time and then the residual effects are going to be there honestly for months and years.”
Evacuation levels
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the evacuation levels remain unchanged since Monday:
Level 3 – “Go”
- Detroit
- Idanha
- Breitenbush
- North Fork Road east of Pioneer Road SE.
- Hwy 22 east of Mile Post 32.5
Level 2 – “Be Set”
- Hwy 22 from Mile Post 16.5 to Mile Post 32.5
- Lyons
- Mehama
- Mill City
- Gates
- Fernridge Rd west of Shellburg Creek Rd to Basil Hill
- Crooked Finger Rd S of Hazelnut Ridge Rd
- North Fork Road to Pioneer Road, including Kubin Road SE
- Pioneer Road SE to Hwy 22, including Hudel Road SE and Taylor Park Road
Level 1 – “Ready”
- Scotts Mills
- Areas east of Meridian Road, Davis Creek, and Victor Point south to the Marion County line