Evacuation level reduced on part of fire near Lyons
(Update: Fire still 60 acres, evacuation level lowered for some residents)
Favorable overnight conditions have kept the Santiam Park Fire burning near Lyons at an estimated 60 acres and 20 percent lined, and some evacuated area residents have been allowed to return home, officials said Wednesday.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office said the evacuation level in the area has been reduced from Level 3 (Go Now) to Level 2 (be ready to go at a moment’s notice). ” Please be ready and set to leave if the fire level changes, ” the agency said. However, homes in Marion County north of the Santiam River remained at Level 3 evacuation, that sheriff’s office said.
About 75 personnel from several agencies are engaged in fighting the fire, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.
” Today’s objective is to fight fire aggressively and safely — continuing to build upon and strengthen containment lines, ” ODF’s morning update said.
The wind-fanned early-season wildfire off state Highway 22 in the North Santiam State Recreational Area grew to about 60 acres by Tuesday night nightfall and prompted evacuations of dozens of nearby homes in the Lyons area.
The ODF was in unified command with the Lyons Fire Department and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office on the Santiam Park Fire, which was reported Tuesday afternoon. Pushed by strong east winds, the fire jumped the Santiam River and was about 20 percent lined by Tuesday night, officials said.
The fire, burning in brush and timber, prompted closure of the recreation area to the public.
Level 3 (“GO”) evacuations were in place for residents west of Neighbor’s Lane, including 25th Avenue, River Loop, and Oak Lane. About 35 homes and 30 outbuildings were threatened, but no structures have been lost, ODF Public Information Officer Bobbi Doan said.
The American Red Cross identified Mari-Linn Elementary School as an evacuation center.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, Doan said.
” Our partners at the local level, along with our ODF resources have done an outstanding job during initial attack today, ” said ODF Incident Commander Blake Ellis. ” We appreciate the teamwork of all agencies involved. ”
Crews from ODF and the Lyons, Mill City and Sublimity fire departments, along with other local agencies, were engaged in extended attack and are expected to return Wednesday morning. Resources involved Tuesday included a Type 2 helicopter , as well as several bulldozers and engines.
ODOT’s TripCheck page indicated there were no delays on Highway 22, though the Santiam Park exit was closed.
For more information on evacuations, contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office at 541-967-3950.
Mari-Linn Elementary School is following normal procedures for notification regarding potential school closure for Wednesday.
In addition, a burn ban is in effect in Clackamas County, near Portland, after several brushfires broke out Monday and Tuesday amid dry, windy weather, KGW reports.
Meanwhile, in southwest Washington, a wildfire burned about five acres in Longview, Wash., on Tuesday, destroying two cars and one home and also prompting evacuations, KPTV reported.
