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Fires and evacuations: Here’s what you need to know

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An estimated 500,000 Oregon residents are in evacuation zones as wildfires fanned by strong winds consume huge swaths of Oregon in what governor Kate Brown said Wednesday could turn out be the greatest loss of human life and property from wildfires in our state history.

This is a county-by-county breakdown of the major wildfires burning across much of the state as of the state, including Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation information. The list is in alphabetical order by county.

Clackamas County
Updated 9/12/2020 9:15 p.m.

Sweeping Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuations were in place as the four main fires currently burn in the county: the Dowty Road Fire and the Riverside Fire are both burning near Estacada, the Unger Fire in the Colton area, and the Wilhoit Fire south of Molalla.

A state of emergency was declared by county leaders Tuesday morning. Mt Hood National Forest has been closed to all public recreation access.

Clackamas County Level 3 evacuations:

Clackamas County Level 2 Get Set evacuations:

Clackamas County Level 1 Be Ready evacuations:

Evacuation check-in site is at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City. Other check-in sites are listed here. Clackamette Park (1955 Clackamette Drive) is also open to evacuees in need of a spot to park vehicles and RVs, though people are asked to first check in at Clackamas Community College before arriving.

A wildfire information line is open for Oregon City residents: 971.204.0426.

Clackamas County evacuation zones
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Cowlitz County
Updated 9/10/2020 4:30 a.m.

The Big Hollow Fire burning southeast of Yale Lake and south of Swift Reservoir in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest was estimated at 6,000 acres on Tuesday — as of Wednesday evening, it had grown to 22,000 acres. Officials said the fire started Monday and strong winds pushed it quickly west, causing it to advance about 10 miles over the span of 30 hours. The area is closed to public access.

KOIN 6 weather teams project winds will blow to the northwest on Thursday, possibly pushing the fire a bit farther north. By Thursday night, the wind is expected to drop significantly. That trend will continue Friday.

Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management announced the following for Level 2 Get Set evacuation notices:

The Lewisville Middle School parking lot in Battle Ground is available as a check-in site for evacuees who need a place to park. Check here for more information.

Due to the conditions, the U.S. Forest Service has closed the national forest to public access. This includes all forms of camping and day use. All roads in the area are closed down as well.

Officials say they will reevaluate the closures as conditions change.

Cowlitz County updates
Clark County fire map
National Fire Situation Awareness map

Jackson County
Updated 09/10/2020 7:00 a.m.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown approved an emergency conflagration declaration for the Almeda Fire — one of three fires burning in Jackson County, near the communities of Talent, Phoenix and Medford.

The Almeda Fire currently sits at 3,000 acres, while the nearby South Obenchain Fire remains slightly over 5,400 acres and the Grizzly Creek Fire is reported to be around 300 acres.

Jackson County Level 3 evacuations:

The Josephine County Fairgrounds are established as a Temporary Evacuation Point, sheltering not available.

Jackson County updates and map
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Lane County
Updated 9/10/2020 10:46 a.m.

A fire burning east of Eugene in the McKenzie River corridor has led to multiple evacuation notices.

Lane County Level 3 evacuations:

Lane County Level 2 Get Set:

Lane County Level 1 Get Ready:

The updated evacuation point is Silke Field at 875 7th Street in Springfield.

McKenzie Fire evacuation info and map
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Lincoln County
Updated 9/14/2020 7:15 a.m.
Lincoln County Emergency Management

Level 3

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has issued the following downgrades for the areas in Lincoln City:

Downgrade from Level 3 to a Level 2:

From NW 39th Street to the West side of Devils Lake then South through the City Limits
Community Members in the newly downgraded areas can return to their homes and business at this time.

More downgrades to Echo Mountain Fire

7 a.m.
The area in and around the Echo Mountain Fire Complex remains in a Level 3 evacuation area. But officials overseeing the fire downgraded these areas to Level 2:

If you need transportation back to your home you can call the County Call Center at 541-265-0621 for coordination.

Please see this map with the current evacuation levels still remaining in place.

Level 2:

Removal of Evacuation Level:

Community Members in the newly downgrade levels can return to their homes and business at this time. If you need transportation back to your home you can call the County Call Center at 541.265.0621 (after 8 a.m.) for coordination.

The evacuation point has been moved to the Newport Rec Center located at 225 SE Avery Street in Newport. People at Oregon Coast Community College were being moved. The Red Cross moved locations for logistical reasons. Lincoln County Fairgrounds will take all animals that are not dogs or cats.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office updates and map
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Linn County
Updated 9/11/2020 3:25 p.m.

LEVEL 3 “GO”

LEVEL 2 “BE READY”

LEVEL 1 “GET READY”

Linn County Sheriff’s Office Facebook updates
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Marion County
Updated 9/15/2020 1 p.m.

As of 1 pm, on September 15, 2020, evacuation levels are being updated for portions of the Mehama and Lyons communities, being downgraded to a Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation status. Existing closures on Highway 22 will remain in effect due to continuing extreme hazards from falling trees. As residents prepare to return to fire impacted areas, we want to remind them to be prepared for

Current evacuation information for Marion County:

LEVEL 3 “GO”: Detroit, Idanha, Breitenbush, Mill City, Gates, North Fork Rd recreation area, Highway 22 east of Highway 226

LEVEL 2 “BE SET”: Lyons, Mehama west of Highway 226, Fernridge Road west of Shellburg Creek Road to Basil Hill, Scotts Mills, Crooked Finger Rd and Moss Lane

LEVEL 1 “GET READY”: Areas east of Meridian Rd, Davis Creek and Victor Point south to the Marion County line

Also, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office identified 2 Lyons residents who died in the fires: Cathy Cook, 71, and 41-year-old Justin Cook. They were found near their property in the 32000 block of North Fork Lane in Lyons, officials said.

To see detailed current Marion County Evacuation Zones please visit: http://bit.ly/MCEvacZones

Marion County evacuations and resources
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Multnomah County
Updated 9/10/2020 7:30 p.m.

No evacuation orders have been issued for the city of Portland; however, in neighboring Clackamas County, the cities of Estacada and Molalla are under Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders, while Oregon City and Canby are under Level 2 “Get Set” orders.

The Oregon Convention Center in Portland is being opened as an evacuee shelter for those displaced by the fires, according to Metro officials.

Also, the City of Portland and the Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services opened additional shelter capacity for those experiencing homelessness. This additional shelter capacity will be available throughout the duration of this air event, and it will be open 24 hours, instead of overnight only. For details, call 211

Multnomah County emergency shelter information

Tillamook County
Updated 9/11/2020 4:30 p.m.

There were no longer any Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation orders in place for Tillamook County as of Friday afternoon.

LEVEL 2:

LEVEL 1:

As of Friday afternoon, all other areas have been removed from all levels of evacuation alerts.

People are asked to please stay out of the area to allow emergency responders to work and to please not call Tillamook 911 unless you have an emergency.

All evacuated persons may go to the shelter at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds, located at 4603 3rd St. in Tillamook. They are also able to accept horses, dogs, and cats, as well as other animals.

Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office updates and map

Washington County

Two separate fires were burning in Washington County: one near Hagg Lake dubbed the Powerline Fire and another south of the community of Midway named the Chehalem Mountain Fire.

On Saturday afternoon, TVFR said: “The fire is now estimated at 75% contained. Firefighters working with crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry will be focusing their efforts on hot spots located within a reduced Level 3 evacuation zone. Incident commanders have evaluated the progress of firefighters and have determined that most the Level 3 zones can be significantly decreased to a Level 2 (safe to return). Power still has not been restored to the area. By reducing the Level 3 zones, PGE will be able to access the area to begin the process of restoring power in a controlled manner.

“Due to the change in the evacuation Levels, most residents will be allowed to return home. Residents should be aware that firefighters will be working on hot spots throughout the area, and anyone living inside of the Level 2 area needs to remain “set” to go at a moment’s notice. Fire conditions can change quickly, and incident commanders will continue to evaluate progress and may adjust evacuation zones as necessary.

Residents can enter the address into this interactive map to determine what zone they are in.”

The staging area for evacuated residents is located at Mountain Side High School at 12500 SW 175th Ave. in Beaverton. The Washington County Fairgrounds/Fair Complex/Westside Commons in Hillsboro is accepting animals from those forced to evacuate.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office updates
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Yamhill County

According to County Commissioner Casey Kulla, an emergency declaration has been issued for Yamhill County as both the Powerline Fire and the Chehalem Mountain Fire move closer to the region.

Kulla said there will be room for Level 3 evacuees in Newberg and for livestock at the Yamhill fairgrounds.

Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office updates
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The Red Cross has set up temporary evacuation shelters at the following locations:

LIST: Temporary shelters as wildfires rip through Oregon