Sheriff’s office lifts evacuation notices for Oakridge-Westfir and downgrades warning for Fall Creek

By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — Evacuation notices for all Oakridge-Westfir areas were canceled Tuesday afternoon by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.

First imposed on Aug. 8 as Level 1 “BE READY” warnings, the notices initially applied to the High Prairie and fish hatchery areas and parts of Oakridge north of Roberts Road and east of Salmon Creek. Two days later those areas were elevated to a more urgent Level 2 “BE SET” warning and all the rest of Oakridge-Westfir was placed on Level 1 notice as the Kwis Fire raged just east of town. Those residential areas were returned to Level 1 status on Aug. 16.

But Tuesday, Aug. 31, brought the announcement that many residents were waiting for: The total lifting of evacuation notices.

As fire crews continued to make significant progress on the Middle Fork Complex fires in the eastern portion of Lane County, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office announced that such warnings were no longer necessary, although community members were encouraged “to remain vigilant and to pay attention to current conditions and notifications.”

“Although evacuation levels are being reduced today, hot weather and dry conditions still pose an elevated risk of wildfire,” the sheriff’s office statement said.

The evacuation notices had applied to all residents on both sides of Highway 58 between Milepost 30 and Milepost 42, affecting about 5,000 people.

Tuesday’s announcement also downgraded the Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation notices for rural Fall Creek areas to Level 2 “BE SET.” That notice applies to all homes, campgrounds and dispersed recreation along Forest Service Road 18 (Big Fall Creek Road) east of the intersection with Forest Service Road 1821, including Puma Campground and Bedrock Campground.

Level 2 means there is significant danger in your area. You should either voluntarily relocate now or be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

Fire managers said the 1,485-acre Kwis Fire near Salmon Creek east of Oakridge remained in mop-up status Tuesday and resources were still be reallocated to the larger Gales Fire east of Fall Creek and Lowell. Mopping up consists of breaking up smoldering material, moving debris so it cannot roll out of the fire perimeter, and putting out hot embers.

At the Gales Fire, north of Oakridge-Westfir, flying embers and firebrands were causing spot fires Tuesday, but fire lines were still holding, the fire command reported.

Although evacuation notices are canceled in Oakridge-Westfir, fire managers are telling residents not to remove those fire risk assessment placards that firefighters placed at threatened residences. That’s because the fire season is far from over, they said.