Brush Fire Forces Evacuation Orders in Harrisburg
HARRISBURG – Multiple evacuation orders were issued on Friday due to a 200-acre brush fire burning on Priceboro Drive in Harrisburg. The fire, known as the Priceboro Fire, is currently burning in a field one mile north of Mount Tom and eight miles northeast of Eugene.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office has implemented level 3 (go now) evacuations for all residents of Mount Tom. In addition, a level 2 (be prepared to go) has been issued for all residents on Coleman Road, east of Interstate 5. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Emergency shelters have been set up at the Linn County Fairgrounds on Knox Butte Road in Albany, where residents and their animals can seek refuge. The shelter also has available stables for livestock. At least 60 homes have been evacuated, according to the sheriff’s office.
Efforts to contain the fire have been underway since Friday. Crews managed to save one cabin and stopped the fire from reaching a nearby subdivision. However, the fire is still active, and firefighters are focusing their efforts on the edges of the fire and smaller fires started by embers. Dozer lines have been put in place to prevent the fire from spreading further.
“We’ve slowed it down, but this isn’t over yet,” said Oregon Department of Forestry District Forester Chris Cline. “We want to hold this fire where it’s at, so we need to dig in around the fire before the mid-day heat sets in, which creates the greatest potential for increased fire behavior and spread.”
A Type-3 Incident Team, along with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s South Cascade District, is managing the firefighting efforts. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized two task forces to assist in the suppression efforts. This is the third immediate response mobilization activated in a week.
Residents in the area should expect to see smoke and aircraft throughout Saturday. Handline crews are also working on steep and rocky outcroppings to prevent the fire from spreading.
Weather conditions are expected to remain hot and dry throughout the weekend, with the possibility of lightning in some parts of the state. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is urging extra caution and fire precautions to avoid sparking additional wildfires.
While the smoke is visible from Interstate 5, there are currently no highway closures. Those in the affected areas can check for updated road information on the Oregon Department of Transportation website. For assistance, questions about evacuation levels, or shelter needs, residents can call 541-812-9211.
Abigail Landwehr, an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal, contributed to this report. She can be reached at [email protected].