Emergency Declared in Marion County as Wildfires Rage Across Oregon

Officials declared a state of emergency in Marion County while firefighters respond to several wildfires across Oregon.

Meanwhile, the Beachie Creek fire in Marion County continued burning, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency hours after officials issues a Level 3 "GO" evacuation orders for residents in Santiam Canyon.

State of Emergency in Marion County

Areas that were given orders to evacuate immediately on Monday are residents living in the canyon from the community of Mehama east of Detroit, Mill City, Gates, Detroit, North Fork Corridor, Scott Mills, and south through the Crooked Finger area. By Tuesday, evacuation orders included areas west of the Mehama community to Cascade Highway Southeast and north to Highway 214.

Silver Falls State Park residents were also evacuated Tuesday morning, and residents of Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Silverton, Highway 213 west of Mt. Angel and Silverton to Drakes Crossing were also asked to evacuate.

In a statement, Marion County Sheriff Joe Kast said that the extreme fires pose an imminent danger to everyone. He urged anyone who is still in Santiam Canyon to leave the area immediately.

Officials closed Eastbound Highway 22 to allow residents to evacuate from Stayton to Santiam Junction.

Officials said that the Beachie Creek fire started on Aug 16 in the Opal Creek Wilderness around 6 miles north of Detriot.

Willamette National Forest recreational areas are now closed. Officials also warned residents to avoid the southern half of Mount Hood National Forest.

On Tuesday, fires were also raging on several Portland metro areas; fires enclosed the boat ramp and surrounding park at Hagg Lake, prompting firefighters to issue a Level 2 "GET SET" evacuation order.

Meanwhile, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue put out the fires near Jackson Quarry Road and West Union Road after a downed power line sparked and ignited a fire.

Clackamas County on Fire

In Clackamas County, crews responded to several fires, burning down 10 acres of brush, forcing four homes to evacuate. The fire was later contained by Tuesday morning with no damage to structures.

Firefighters were responding to new fires in Oregon City Estacada and off Interstate 205.

Interstate 5 Closed Due to Wildfires

The main routes of travel between Ashland and Medford were closed Tuesday afternoon due to wildfires.

Both directions of Interstate 5 were shut down after a wildfire brokeout Tuesday afternoon. Southbound Highway 99 was shuttered at milepost 17, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced.

Ashland officials reported a grass fire near Almeda Drive in Quiet Village at around 11:30 a.m. The freeway was closed between exits 14 and 24.

City officials advised in a statement that residents in the area west of Michelle Avenue and lower Cambridge Street should evacuate or avoid the area until it is safe to return or travel.

It is unclear when the interstate would open again. The Oregon Department of Transportation called on drivers of the vehicles left in the freeway to contact the agency's dispatch to provide contact information to move when the freeway opens. Vehicles with no contact information will be towed, officials warned.

The agency can be contacted at 541-858-3103.

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