Authorities issued mandatory evacuations on Tuesday and Gov. Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act because of a wildfire east of Roseburg.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said shortly after noon on Tuesday that people in homes, recreation areas and businesses on Oregon Highway 138 between mile marker 43 east to Eagle Rock Campground should leave the area immediately. The highway was closed in that area.
People in the area east of Eagle Rock Campground to Soda Springs should be prepared to leave immediately, the sheriff's office in a Facebook post.
The blaze known as the Jack Creek Fire was reported at about 5 p.m. Monday. Fire officials said the fire grew quickly given the steep terrain, abundance of fuels and inaccessibility. It was estimated at about 900 acres in size.
Brown on Tuesday afternoon invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, which makes more state resources available to fight the fire. She can invoke the act when it's determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exist due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.
“It is evident that this fire season is rapidly under way, and we must all remain aware and cautious, especially with activities that could spark a fire. We all need to do our part to help the many firefighters battling multiple fires across Oregon,” Brown said in a news release.
