The Upper Applegate Fire burning in southwestern Oregon has prompted evacuation warnings south of Jacksonville.
The fire was estimated at 300 acres Thursday evening, with multiple firefighters and resources attacking the blaze “in an aggressive initial attack,” the Oregon Department of Forestry said.
A Level 1 evacuation warning – meaning be prepared to leave – has been issued for an area south of the small town of Ruch and north of McKee Bridge, a popular recreation area. The evacuation order includes: Eastside Road south of Little Applegate Road north of McKee Bridge.
The fire appears to be burning north of Applegate Reservoir.
“Additional resources will arrive overnight,” ODF said in a press release. “Cooler temperatures tonight will obviously reduce fire activity and help firefighters make further progress.”
The evacuation area can be seen here
The fire appears to be burning on the ridge between Upper Applegate and Little Applegate.
Highway 62 The fire has stopped
ODF said firefighters are making good progress on the Highway 62 Fire in Shady Cove.
“It was captured on 75 hectares and is now 40% covered,” ODF said late Thursday evening. “Resources will continue to work tonight on lining the fire and clearing up.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and hosts the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared in the Salem Statesman Journal: Upper Applegate Fire Brings Evacuation Warnings South of Jacksonville
