PORTLAND, Oregon — There are currently more than 90 fires burning in Oregon right now, including the Lee Falls Fire near Hagg Lake in rural Washington County.
Late last week, there was a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation alert for the Cherry Grove community, but it has since been lifted. Some of the community remains under a Level 2 (Be Set) warning, according to Derek Gasperini, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Forestry.
RELATED: Cherry Grove residents recall rush to evacuate as Lee Falls Fire erupted in Washington County
The last four days have been tense for Cherry Grove resident Halle Sheldon.
“This is scary, I haven’t had to evacuate someplace since I was 7 or 8,” said Sheldon.
She was on her way to work on Thursday morning of last week when the fire broke out. She wasn’t at work for more than an hour before she had to head back home to pack up.
“I grabbed all of our animals — we trailered them over to a friend's house, luckily — and yesterday I was finally able to trailer all of my animals home,” Sheldon said.
On Sunday, she could finally relax again, as the evacuation order had been lifted for the Cherry Grove community. Sheldon said she was very relieved to be able to go back home.
These evacuations are becoming a little familiar for longtime resident Glenn Dickson, who only heard of the evacuation when he was at the coast last week. A neighbor called to tell him about the evacuations. He was forced to do a similar evacuation from this area just a couple of years ago from wildfires.
“It was terrible. We got the call when I was at the coast that there was a fire ... when we got home they said it was a Level 3, get out,” Dickson said.
After rushing home, they had enough time to get their animals out safely, and they were able to take them to a friend's property.
While everyone is back home now, they know they’re still going to have to be ready just in case the fires flare up again.
The Level 3 evacuation orders have lifted, but the community of Cherry Grove is still under a Level 2, just in case the conditions change. Crews still haven’t determined what caused the fire to start.
What do 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.