Lee Falls Fire 100% lined, evacuation zones downgraded as 'mop up' begins

After two days of battling the flames, firefighters reported that the Lee Falls Fire near Cherry Grove is 100% lined. Now, the work for containment begins.

According to the Gaston Rural Fire District, efforts on Friday, Aug. 9 lead to full controls lines around the fire's perimeter, keeping the behemoth blaze that caused more than 600 residents in and around Cherry Grove to evacuate to 280 acres.

The fire is now 100% lined, meaning firefighters have dug trenches around 100% of the blaze. Wildfires are lined before they can be contained.

As of the 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, most of the Level 3 evacuation zones have been downgraded to a Level 2, and previous Level 1 areas are now a Level 2.

According to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management , 579 people and 391 structures are within the current Level 3 evacuation zone. A Level 3 evacuation order means danger is imminent in the area and leave immediately. Do not delay to collect belongings. Non-residents are not allowed in the area and residents should not return to their homes.

Areas to the north of the fire, up to Southwest Scoggins Valley Road, and south of the fire at the border between Yamhill and Washington counties are under Level 2 evacuation orders. Level 2 means there is high dangers in the area, and you should be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Displaced community members can go to New Life Fellowship Christian Church, located at 202 Church St. in Gaston, for temporary shelter. The American Red Cross is assisting with shelter response, and community members can call 1-800-733-2767 or 503-284-1234 for updates and information regarding pets. Pet owners should bring crates and other pet supplies. The Westside Commons, formerly the Washington County Fairgrounds, is open for displaced livestock and horses.

So far, no structures have been damaged by the fire.

Moving forward, now that control lines have been set, "mop up" begins, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. This is the process of cooling the perimeter of the of the fire to reduce the chances that dry vegetation outside of the fire lines is ignited by the heat of the flames.

"Once there is sufficient cooling from the outer edge of the control line and the perimeter s cold and black a sufficient distance from the line, it's then considered a containment line," ODF stated.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.