Middle Fork Complex Fire, Aug. 17

Middle Fork Complex 08/16/21 – Evacuation Level Reduction – As fire crews continue to make progress on the Kwis Fire approximately two miles east of Oakridge, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office is announcing that some evacuation levels are able to be downgraded at this time. The Oakridge / Westfir residents currently in Level Two: – BE SET – areas are being advised that they can return to operating under Level One – GET READY – guidelines. These areas include High Prairie, Fish Hatchery, Oakridge north of Roberts Road, and Oakridge east of Salmon Creek. The Oakridge / Westfir community is all now at a Level 1 – BE READY – evacuation level. With the reduction of evacuation levels, Lane County has requested that the Red Cross shelter currently in place at Pleasant Hill High School be deactivated. The large animal shelter at the Lane County Fairgrounds and domestic pet shelter at Greenhill will be working to reunite evacuated animals with their owners over the next few days.  Should conditions worsen or evacuation levels need to be elevated again, all of these services will be reinstated.  Authorities ask that everyone remain vigilant and pay attention to current conditions and notifications. Although evacuation levels are reducing today, these hot and dry conditions still pose an extreme risk of wildfire. An evacuation map along with additional information is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov.