CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — A brush fire that sparked between Canby and Oregon City early Friday morning is now under control, fire officials announced Friday afternoon. The South End Road Fire's footprint was last estimated at 4.8 acres.
People are able to return to their homes as all evacuation orders dropped from Level 3 (Go Now) to Level 1 (Be Ready).
According to Clackamas Fire, units were dispatched around 12:08 a.m. to a brush fire burning near South Highway 99 East and South End Road, which was quickly upgraded to a three-alarm fire.
Canby Fire told KGW that accessing the blaze was tough, as the fire burned on the cliffside above the Willamette River, climbing up the hills and getting close to homes. Part of the blaze torched trees, with some flames reaching up to eight to 10 feet, but most of it burned up shrubs and grass.
"Well the initial crew was extremely concerned with the flame length coming up to the decks, right up to the decks," said Canby Fire Chief Jim Davis, referring to four homes that were most at risk. "So the crews worked extremely hard in saving these structures and were successful in doing so."
Hours after the fire sparked, a large helicopter arrived from The Dalles in the Columbia River Gorge to drop water on the flames. The helicopter repeatedly dropped 1,000 gallons of water at a time for two hours to effectively douse the blaze.
"The helicopter was amazing, it basically saved us four days of work trying to get down to those hotspots," said Davis.
Before firefighters got the flames under control, nearby resident Karlynn Riedlinger said that it was frightening to watch them advance. She described watching two large trees catch fire before plummeting to the ground. But they were lucky, she said, because there wasn't enough wind to spread the embers.
They were lucky, too, that the helicopter was making those water drops, she said, echoing Davis.
"I mean refilling and coming every minute and a half with thousands of gallons of water," said Karlynn Riedlinger, a nearby resident. "I mean it was insane, and I’m just happy that they’ve got it right on the line right now."
Resources were thin, Canby Fire said, because crews were diverted Thursday to help with the Lee Falls Fire in Washington County.
Fire officials said that there remain smoldering hotspots which crews will monitor and extinguish over the next few days, but the fire was otherwise completely knocked down.
It is not known at this time how the fire started. As of Friday morning, there were no reported injuries or structures lost.
Highway 99 East reopened around 1 p.m. Friday after it was closed in both directions for about four hours while fire crews battled the blaze. The Oregon Department of Transportation said travelers should expect delays into the afternoon while the traffic backup clears.
Evacuations
Level 3: Go Now evacuations are issued for residents from South End from Highway 99 East to Reflection Lane, west to milepost 16 on Highway 99 East and south to South End Road.
Level 2: Be Set evacuations are in place for the east side of South Southend Road from Highway 99 East to Reflection Lane, as well as the west side of South Southend Road from Reflection Lane to Beutel Road; Level 2 evacuations also apply to the area west over to Highway 99 East at about milepost 15.5, south to milepost 16.
Level 1: Be Ready evacuation notices have been issued for the west side of South Southend Road to South Rose Road, the south side of South Rose Road from Southend over to 18776 Highway 99 East, south to milepost 15.5 and north of South Beutel Road.
Livestock can be moved to the Washington County Fairgrounds.
An interactive map of wildfire evacuation zones can be found here (search "South End Fire"):
Here's what evacuation levels mean
- Level 1 Notice - Be Ready: Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and monitor local media outlets for information. Residents with special needs should take note and begin making arrangements to evacuate. Evacuations at this time are voluntary.
- Level 2 Notice - Be Set: This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready at a moment's notice. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate.
- Level 3 Notice - Go Now: Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should leave immediately. Listen to local media and watch for emergency personnel who may be coming by to give further instructions regarding the evacuation.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
