Oregon wildfires: Level 3 evacuations issued for Bohemia Mining District near Cottage Grove

There were 29 large wildfires and complexes burning around Oregon Friday morning.

So far, 1.2 million acres have burned — the second-most in modern records that date back to 1992 . There were 9,592 firefighters in 235 crews in the field in Oregon.

Here's the latest news.

Progress on Lee Falls Fire, near Henry Hagg Lake, but evacuations remain for Cherry Grove

Fire crews made major progress on the Lee Falls Fire overnight, working to get the 280-acre blaze near Henry Hagg Lake 75% lined.

"Crews will continue work on lining the fire today with aviation resources on standby to support ground operations as needed," an update from the Oregon Department of Forestry said.

The level 3 evacuation orders for Cherry Grove and parts of Gaston, which impacted 250 households, remained in place as of Friday afternoon. For the latest evacuation updates, see the Washington County Sheriff's Office or view this map https://ow.ly/Cecm50SUT8o .

The fire was burning west of Forest Grove and the Portland Metro Area, and north of Yamhill.

Red Cross shelter and evacuation reception opened at New Life Church, 202 Church St in Gaston. Household pets were allowed. Pet owners were advised to bring crates and other pet supplies, if possible. The phone contact is 1-800-RED-CROSS

Evacuated livestock from the Lee Falls Fire can be transported to Westside Commons/Washington County Fairgrounds.

More details Crews make major progress on Lee Falls Fire, but Cherry Grove still on level 3 evacuation

Level 3 'Go Now' evacuations issued for Lane 1 Fire southeast of Cottage Grove

A level 3 "Go Now" evacuation notice was issued Thursday for the Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak area by the Lane County Sheriff's Office due to the Lane 1 Fire located southeast of Cottage Grove.

Level 3 means there is an immediate and imminent danger and residents should leave immediately and not take time to gather their things.

The Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak area had been under a Level 2 evacuation status since July 31 when the Lane 1 Fire was measured at 1,932 acres.

As of Thursday morning, the Lane 1 Fire was measured at 17,830 acres and was considered 9% contained after merging with the Adam Mountain Fire.

According to unofficial reports posted to WatchDuty, the fire's progress continues to slow down, but residents were asked to evacuate as a proactive measure. Evacuating allows firefighters to bring in equipment and conduct strategic burns in the area.

Areas east of Disston starting at Brice Creek Road milepost 0.7 and following Brice Creek Road south remained at a Level 1 evacuation status, which meant local residents should be aware of the danger in the area and monitor local media outlets and telephone devices for updates.

- Haleigh Kochanski

Hart Mountain refuge closed by new 17,000 acre Warner Peak Fire

The Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, including all access roads and campgrounds, is closed until further notice due to the 17,000-acre Warner Peak Fire, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday.

The fire was started within the refuge on last Monday. The fire has 0% containment and is expected to grow.

It will limit access to popular hot springs and could delay the popular hunting season.

Firefighters will utilize roads to conduct firing operations for conrol of the fire's perimeter. No structures are threatened and no evacuations have been ordered.

All campgrounds, hot springs, trails, access, and roads into the refuge are closed. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Blue Sky Road and all adjoining roads, including Black Canyon Road, Martin Canyon Road, South Boundary Road, Shirk Road, Barnhardi Road, and Post Meadows Road.• Frenchglen Road• Hot Springs Campground• Post Meadows Campground•  Camp Hart Mountain Campground

All hunting and fishing, including the Hart Mountain Unit for antelope and archery deer seasons, have been closed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife until further notice due to the fire.

For more information regarding the hunting and fishing closure, please call ODFW: 541-883-5732.

Williams Mine Fire grows rapidly to 5,549 acres in Washington

The Williams Mine Fire, in the Mount Adams Wilderness in Washington, grew to 5,549 acres and 1% containment as of Friday morning.

Today, firefighters will continue to strengthen containment lines by clearing vegetation and fuels around the fire perimeter.

A large closure was issued for roads and trails in the area.

Pacific Northwest wildfires likely to persist until fall rains

Oregon’s wildfires were expected to continue into the fall, based on the size and number, until Pacific Northwest gets major rain or snow in the fall, officials said Thursday.

With additional lightning expected this month, fire crews must pick and choose which fires to attack and how to manage others, a news release from the U.S. Forest Service said.

“Our planners are taking a realistic look at current wildfires, expected new fires, and the resources we have to help us safeguard human lives and property while enhancing our ability to respond to wildfires in high-risk areas,” said Jacque Buchanan, regional forester for the Pacific Northwest region of the Forest Service.

Firefighters working long-duration wildfires will focus on creating containment lines to help stop fires as they approach critical areas such as communities, powerlines, water supply systems and natural and cultural resources, the Forest Service said.

But, fires established in timber-dominated forests west of the Cascades are expected to continue to burn.

“These areas provide ample fuel that can sustain fires for extended periods and hold heat deep within the interior of a wildfire until conditions either escalate or moderate fire activity,” the news release said.

Kotek invokes Conflagration Act for Town Gulch Fire in Baker County

For the 12 ^th time this season, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act Tuesday in response to the Town Gulch Fire in Baker County. The 18,500-acre fire has brought level 3 evacuations north of Richland in eastern Oregon.

The Baker County Fire Defense Board requested assistance with life, safety, and structural fire protection and the state fire marshal concurred with that request.“Firefighters on the ground have been working incredibly hard in brutal conditions for weeks now, with many weeks to go,” Kotek said. “We all have to do our part as we get through a long wildfire season."

Willamette National Forest wildfires get new firefighting teams

Two new firefighting teams arrived to manage the wildfires, burning 11,709 acres, in Willamette National Forest.

As of Friday, the Pyramid, Slate and Ore Fires will be referred to as the Willamette Complex North

California Incident Management Team 13 assumed management of the Willamette Complex North, while Alaska CIMT 3 took over the Willamette Complex South, which includes the fires near Oakridge.

Work on the two largest fires, Chalk and Coffeepot, has shifted into building, securing and patrolling containment lines.

Alaksa CIMT3 will shadow Rocky Mountain CIMT1 during suppression operations to develop an understanding of terrain, access, fuels and tactics for when they assume management on Saturday morning.

Thursday's weather remained dry and provided favorable conditions for removing fuels with low intensity firing operations.

Today will have an inversion layer that holds smoke, from local fires and the Homestead complex in the Umpqua National Forest to the south, near ground level.

Pyramid Fire (1,331 acres, 31% contained): Dealing with dry conditions and increased fire behavior on Thursday, crews have been focusing on securing the fire's perimeter and managing two spot fires, near the Middle Santiam Wilderness, between Highway 22 and 20 south of Detroit.

Slate Fire (91 acres, 99% contained): Crews began suppression repair and are working to patrol and secure the fire perimeter where necessary.

Ore Fire (2,421 acres, 21% contained): Thursday resulted in dry conditions and increased fire behavior as fire crews continue to look to contain fire lines on this blaze north of Blue River Reservoir in the McKenzie Canyon.

Cottage Grove-Lane 1 Fire up to 19,430 acres

One of western Oregon's largest fires was located southeast of Cottage Grove. The Cottage Grove-Lane 1 Fire had blackened 19,430 acres as of Friday morning and was at 9% contained.

There were 1,293 personnel assigned to the incident.

Fire crews were conducting burnout operations to create lines around the blaze.

"With help from favorable weather conditions over the last several days, firefighters have successfully conducted burnout operations, tying together the Lane 1 and Adam Mountain Fire. Firefighters continue to work on a variety of operational tasks, including prepping, chipping, firing, holding and mopping up," a Thursday morning report said.

Closures: Due to the wildfires, the Umpqua National Forest issued a closure that can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/aler/umpqua/alerts-notices .

The Bureau of Land Management issued the following emergency closure for Lane County: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/bureau-land-management-expands-emergency-fire-closure-due-cottage-grove-lane-1-fire .

Wildfire in Crater Lake National Park at 4,011 acres, park still open

The Middle Fork Fire, located in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park, grew to 4,011 acres by Friday morning and is 1% contained.

The fire grew to the north and northeast yesterday after getting into a patch of green timber, the news release said. Aviation efforts began briefly but were grounded due to smoke.

"The fire is burning in the old National Fire burn scar, getting into unburned pockets of vegetation as well as burning through big, heavy dead logs that hold heat and generate a lot of smoke," a morning report said. "The intent is to stop the Middle Fork’s northward spread and confine it within the park."

Trails closed: The Pacific Crest Trail from the Dutton Ridge Intersection to Highway 138, Lightning Springs, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails (within the park) were closed.

Diamond Complex at 7,629 acres across 27 fires

The Middle Fork Fire is part of the Diamond Complex, which included 27 fires in southern Oregon's Umpqua National Forest near Diamond Lake and the North Umpqua Canyon. A map of the fires can be found here .

All totaled, the fires have burned 7,629 acres and have 728 people working the blazes.

Diamond Lake Resort and its campground remained open.

Highway 230 along the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park will be one-lane traffic with a flagger due to work occurring on the Middle Fork Fire.

The largest of the complex was the Pine Bench Fire at 2,160 acres and 15% containment. The fire was burning near popular Toketee Falls, one of the state's most striking waterfalls.

"Road systems are being prepped on the east as a contingency line to protect infrastructure at Toketee Falls if needed," fire crews said.

Other notable blazes in the complex included:

• Potter Fire , north of Highway 138, two miles southeast of Potter Mountain, at 2,060 acres, 0% contained.
• Trep Fire , about four miles south of Highway 138, at 374 acres, 0% contained.
• Lemolo Fire , north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, at 1247 acres, 20% contained.
• Trail Fire , east of Highway 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, at 843 acres, 40% contained.

Homestead Complex up to 3,548 acres

The Homestead Complex, a series of seven fires northeast of Roseburg, grew to 3,548 acres by Friday morning with an overall containment of 14%. There were 455 personnel working on the fire.

The most notable fire on the complex was the No Man Fire at 1,334 acres. On Thursday, the fire was active in the southeast corner but remained within established control lines.

The Horse Heaven Fire , at 997 acres, was active in the Windy Creek drainage. Firefighters continued improving and plumbing line with hose lays on the north side of Windy Creek.

On the 252-acre Fuller Lake Fire and the 361-acre Bullpup Fire, firefighters continued cutting burned trees along the 5851 Road and strengthened control lines.

Porcupine Fire grows to 6,553 acres in eastern Oregon

A fire ignited by lightning in eastern Oregon earlier this week grew to 6,553 acres and 30% containment by Friday morning.

The Porcupine Fire remained in containment lines and was burning at Porcupine Reservoir, just east of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Elk Lane Fire burns at 5,176 acres in central Oregon

The lightning-caused Elk Lane Fire, burning approximately 3.5 miles west of Madras city limits, has burned 5,176 acres and is 40% contained as of Friday morning.

Firefighters have held the fire within the existing footprint since Tuesday but will face challenges with hot and dry weather conditions this weekend, according to the news release.

Today, Crews will continue to make progress on control and mop-up efforts.

Areas south of Belmont Lane had evacuation levels reduced on Wednesday. Madras High School is being utilized as a temporary evacuation site. Up to date evacuation information can be found on the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Facebook Page.

All evacuation levels dropped for Mile Marker 132 Fire in Deschutes County

Forward progression of the 78-acre Mile Marker 132 Fire has been stopped and all evacuation levels have been dropped as of Wednesday evening, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office

Crazy Creek Fire has burn 79,971 acres and is 50% contained

Heavy smoke was present on the Crazy Creek Fire, burning in central Oregon, on Thursday morning. Fire activity increased as smoke lifted in the afternoon. Crews witnessed groups of trees torching and short-range spot fires starting.

“Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for areas in Crook and Wheeler Counties for areas in or near the fire,” according to the news release, “Level 3 evacuations have extended from the Forest Boundary to Highway 380. Level 2 evacuations have extended south of Highway 380.”

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast . To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal . He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfires: Level 3 evacuations issued for Bohemia Mining District near Cottage Grove