New wildfire destroys two homes in SW Oregon

(Update: Fire fully lined, two homes and 13 outbuildings destroyed)

A nearly 200-acre day-old wildfire that destroyed two homes and more than a dozen other structures and prompted evacuations in Josephine County has been fully lined by a force of more than 200 firefighters, boosting containment to 30 percent, officials said Monday evening.

Josephine County emergency managers said the fire destroyed two homes and damaged two others, while destroying 13 outbuildings, two RVs and 11 vehicles.. Three other homes, two outbuildings and a vehicle were damaged by the fire, which prompted evacuation of more than 660 residents.

While mop-up work already has begun, the Level 3 “Go” and Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation notices remained in place as a safety precaution while firefighters work to secure the area.

Here’s an update on the Hugo Road Fire from the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal:

While gusty winds are still causing minor flare-ups throughout the footprint of the fire, crews are gridding the landscape in order to keep the fire in check. The fire, burning on private lands approximately 10 miles north-northwest of Grants Pass in the community of Hugo, has been mapped at 199 acres in size. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Goals accomplished today include completing and securing the perimeter control line, mopping up 100 feet in and around structures, mopping up 100 feet from all impacted roadways, and completing a thorough structure assessment for the Hugo Road Fire.

Tonight, night shift will continue mopping up from the exterior of the fire’s perimeter moving inward, as well as around structures. While smoke may be present, please know this is a part of the mop up process as crews are turning over hot stumps, removing hazard trees, and exposing hidden fire.

Due to significant progress and improved fire conditions, tomorrow resources from the Office of the State Fire Marshal will begin their journey home. Structure crews will demobilize in waves, in order to allow local resources to transition into place. It is important to note that while the extra capacity of firefighters will be returning to their respective homes, both local structure and wildland crews will remain present to continue mopping up over the coming days.

Gov. Kate Brown early Monday declared the Hugo Road Fire a conflagration, clearing the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire.

At the time of the declaration, 173 structures were under Level 3 mandatory evacuation orders, 92 structures were on a Level 2 evacuation notice, and 270 structures were on a Level 1 evacuation notice.

“When life and property are at risk, we as a state must do everything we can to support firefighters and the communities they protect,” Brown said.

“While Labor Day usually marks the end of summer in Oregon, it doesn’t bring an end to wildfire season,” the governor added. “I ask all Oregonians to use the utmost caution when working, traveling, and camping throughout the state.”

The fire was reported around 7:15 p.m. Sunday in Hugo, a town 10 miles northwest of Grants Pass, on the west side of Interstate 5. Among challenges faced by crews overnight — live power lines and a reported cougar sighting.

The Office of State Marshal’s Red Incident Management Team and four structural task forces from Marion, Lane, Linn and Klamath counties arrived Monday and began work on protecting structures.

A Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation order was put in place for Oxyoke Road from Three Pines Road to Hugo Road, Hugo Road from Oxyoke Road to Three Pines Road, Three Pines Road from Hugo Road to Oxyoke Road, Monterico and all secondary roads off of Monterico, Hitching Post Road, Hasis Road, Trevor Lane, Dakota Lane, Templin Avenue, and Wilson LaneOxyoke Road from Three Pines Road to Hugo Road, Hugo Road from Oxyoke Road to Three Pines Road, Three Pines Road from Hugo Road to Oxyoke Road, Monterico and all secondary roads off of Monterico, Hitching Post Road, Hasis Road, Trevor Lane, Dakota Lane, Templin Avenue and Wilson Lane.

A Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation was issued for Three Pines Road to Monument Drive, and Monument Drive to the Interstate 5 at the Milepost 66 interchange.

Oregon’s conflagration may be invoked only by the governor and allows the state fire marshal to dispatch structural firefighters and equipment.

More information on evacuations and a full fire update are available at Josephine County Emergency Management page and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/josephinecountyEM/

https://www.facebook.com/jcsosheriff/

Meanwhile, the Terwilliger Fire burning on the Willamette National Forest five miles southwest of Blue River has grown to 8,446 acres as of Monday morning, with 23 percent containment by the 740 personnel on scene.

In Lake County, the 58,761-acre Watson Creek Fire that broke out six miles southwest of Paisley is now 95 percent contained by the 363-person firefighting force.