Two Four Two Fire near Chiloquin grows to 10,000 acres; 5% contained

22 miles of Highway 97 still closed as 'fire continues to move in all directions'

CHILOQUIN, Ore. – The Two Four Two Fire that broke out Monday evening north of Chiloquin grew by late Tuesday night to about 10,000 acres, racing through dried grass, brush and timber, prompting new evacuations and keeping U.S. Highway 97 shut in the area.

The fire was 5% contained by late Tuesday, according to an update at its InciWeb page.

An earlier Tuesday evening update from the Fremont-Winema National Forest and South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership said the cause is under investigation.

The major growth has been wind-driven, with similar conditions Tuesday due to to a Red Flag Warning in effect until midnight for strong gusty winds and low relative humidity. 

"Today, the fire continues to move in all directions," the update said. "Multiple structures are threatened. Fire managers are still assessing structures that may have been lost."

Highway 97 remains closed between Oregon Highway 62 south of Chiloquin north to the intersection with Forest Road 9732 at Oux Kanee Overlook.  Oregon Highway 422 North is closed between Highway 97 and Oregon Highway 62. 

ODOT said 22 miles of Highway 97 was closed Tuesday, with the northern terminus of the closure at milepost 227, the southern at 249.

They also noted that "travel conditions across Central and Western Oregon remain difficult due to rapid wildfire movement. Motorists are urged to check Tripcheck.com before embarking on cross state travel. Such travel is not recommended at this time."

Highway 62 is closed from the junction with Highway 97 north to the State Fish Hatchery.

Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation are handling highway road closures.

Klamath County sheriff’s deputies and local fire departments have been conducting evacuations in the area since Monday night. Collier State Park and residents west of the state park, as well as residents of Woodland Park remain in a Level 3 Evacuation notice.

A Level 3 Evacuation for Oregon Shores 1, north of Maidu Road, was issued Tuesday morning and most residents have evacuated.  There was a new Level 3 Evacuation for residents in the area north of the Road 422 and Highway 62 junction east of the Wood River, south of Crooked Creek between the Wood River and the State Fish Hatchery.  Residences, if not already evacuated should evacuate now, officials said.

On the north end of the fire, west of Highway 97 near milepost 243, there was active fire Tuesday north of Spring Creek.  Residents in the area near Spring Creek should evacuate, officials said.

The area south of Maidu Road, west of Highway 62, including Oregon Shores 2, is currently under a Level 2 Evacuation.  This means residents should be prepared if there is a need for immediate evacuation.

The Red Cross has established an evacuation center at Kla-Mo-Ya Casino south of Chiloquin.  There is not a number set up for the evacuation center yet.  Evacuees or those with questions are advised to not call 911 unless it is an emergency, but instead go to Kla-Mo-Ya in person. 

The Klamath County Fairgrounds are also available for evacuees with trailers or animals.  RV hook-ups and animal holding facilities are available.

There are 24 engines, two hand crews, five bulldozers dozers and multiple air resources including one lead plane, three single-engine air tankers, two "scooper" aircraft, a large helicopter and two Type 2 helicopters on the fire Tuesday.  More resources are being ordered.  Because of heat and smoke, however, the use of air resources has been limited.

When air resources are available, Klamath Lake is being used to scoop water. Boaters are advised to be aware of their surroundings and avoid areas where aircraft is operating over the water. The Williamson River and Spring Creek are also being used for dip sites.

An Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team will begin transitioning onto the fire this evening and is expected to assume command of the incident tomorrow morning.  The incident will be a unified command with ODF and the U.S. Forest Service.

Currently the local South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) Type 3 Team is managing the fire.

The Red Flag Warning in effect Tuesday for strong gusty winds and low relative humidity expires at midnight.

The Two Four Two Fire was discovered Monday evening near Williamson River Campground on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Chiloquin Ranger District.

For more information, visit the SCOFMP Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO or InciWeb at www.inciweb.nwcg.gov.