While this is good news, fire officials are wary of increased winds this afternoon that could test fire lines. The fire is estimated at 32,833 acres and 25 percent contained. REUTERS/Adrees Latif Reuters / Donnerstag, September 10, 2020 A hotshot crew is working in the area on Friday to tie in fire line. The SOUTH OBENCHAIN FIRE started on September 8, 2020 at 1359 (1:5pm) PT from an unknown cause, which is currently under investigation. The agency said that it spotted the fire just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Earlier this week, reporters were approached by an armed group, suspicious because of rumors that Antifa arsonists were afoot. As of Monday, the South Obenchain Fire was estimated at 32,031 acres and 20 percent contained. “This is about possible looters, not antifa or setting of fires,” the edit read. On the south end of the fire, firefighters are holding a line beginning at Whiskey Creek and circling around to South Obenchain Road, extending northwest toward Shady Cove. The fire is burning in Jackson County, about five miles east of Eagle Point, Oregon. The Oregon Department of Forestry said on Friday evening that a special interagency task force is working to build a line between Highway 62 and Indian Creek Road, and will be in the area to protect homes. #wawx pic.twitter.com/CKykvCChaF. The most active area of the fire remains on the east, toward Butte Falls. In Oakland, where the air quality is especially unhealthy today, the city has opened air respite centers. It started late Thursday afternoon around roughly 4 P.M. ODF said it grew to 150 acres by 5:45 Thursday evening and is spreading East. Associated Press Scenes of devastation in Oregon; 500,000 evacuated as wildfires rage Published: Sept. 10, 2020 at 8:53 p.m. Tags Wildfire Top Stories Oregon News Appfeed Wildfire 2020 UPDATE: As of 8 pm Sunday evening, the South Obenchain Fire is 65 percent contained and holding at 32,671 acres. This is a developing story and will be updated with more details as they emerge. Read about our policies and notice regarding Americans with Disabilities The effects of this disinformation were dangerously evident on the ground. The area is bordered by the Rogue River on the north side. A permit will be issued by the guards and will be required for re-entry. The City of Eagle Point 17 Buchanan Avenue South P.O. The Oregon Department of Forestry said that structures are threatened. A farm is leveled by the South Obenchain Fire along Butte Falls Highway in Eagle Point, Oregon, U.S., September 10, 2020. Keep up with The Guardian’s rolling coverage of the fires here: Here’s another satellite view of the smoke: Today’s real color visible satellite loop of the West Coast really captures the magnitude of the smoke coverage. One sensor says #Oroville AQI is 999 (another says 809) this morning. In addition to satellites, we can also use our radar to determine smoke plumes from fires. In the wake of these unprecedented fires, many fundraisers have been created to help those affected. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A farm is leveled by the South Obenchain Fire along Butte Falls Highway in Eagle Point, Oregon, September 10. 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UPDATE: Containment for the South Obenchain Fire has increased again, going from 35 percent containment to 45 percent. On Thursday afternoon, three journalists were confronted by men with AR-15s and summarily ordered to leave Molalla. See the latest wildfire information for the South Obenchain Fire, near Lake Creek, Oregon. The incident team says areas inside the immediate burn area remain at a Level 3 "Go" evacuation with restricted entry. Fire officials said that the fire did make a "small push" to the east, into a burn scar from the 2008 Double Day Fire. All perimeters of the fire are in "mop-up and patrol status." Saturday, September 12, 2020 Vehicles lie damaged in the aftermath of the Obenchain Fire in Eagle Point, Oregon, September 11. It extends more than 800 miles off of the Washington coast and is being wrapped around an area of low pressure west of California. At least eight had been reported. Containment also has increased by 10%. A report from Oregon Public Radio has corrected false claims that arsonists are responsible for the fires. It's the second day in a row of a 10 percent increase in fire containment. An unmanned aircraft (UAS), also known as a drone, was reported over the fire area. An update posted by ODF on Wenesday night said that the fire covered an estimated 20,500 acres, burning primarily in mountain forestland north of Eagle Point and extending east toward Butte Falls. With a growing population of over 9,000 residents, but miles of fields and farmland, Eagle Point is a scenic retreat from the bigger city pace. The Portland area will have to wait until Monday for improved air quality, according to the National Weather Service. Hundreds of thousands of acres have been scorched and thousands have fled their homes. Officials said that the fire burned to Star Lake Reservoir and just above Salt Creek Road. On its Facebook page overnight, Molalla police were forced to amend an earlier call for residents to report suspicious activity. Further afield, other men with similar sympathies appeared to be on patrol. My colleague Jason Wilson reports from Molalla, Oregon: Fear, uncertainty and disinformation gripped Molalla ahead of the evacuation. Although few vehicles were left in Mulino save those belonging to emergency services, on the trip there and again on back roads en route to Oregon City, men in trucks bearing thin blue line flags – a badge of membership for rightwing movements – were observed in states of hypervigilance. Vehicles lie damaged in the aftermath of the Obenchain Fire in Eagle Point, Oregon, U.S., September 11, 2020. We know how this ends, Oregon, California and Washington fight historic fires, California governor makes urgent appeal for climate action. In preceding days, Facebook pages associated with the town were filled with rumors of looters and Antifa raids. The South Obenchain Fire started on Tuesday, burning over 8,000 acres of private land. Spanning across 846,812 acres, the fire is 25% contained. All perimeters of the fire are in "mop-up and patrol status." EAGLE POINT, Ore. — The Worthington Fire is burning between Eagle Point and Butte Falls. The fire has burned more than 250,000 acres and has killed at least nine people – in a region that just two years ago was hit by the deadly Camp Fires. "The mountainous terrain means it’s a hard spot for dozers to dig a line," the agency said. Dry, hot conditions had primed the landscape to burn. Spot fires are established in Indian Creek. The Level 3 zone now encompasses Shady Cove, Trail, and everything to the east up to and including the west side of Crowfoot Road. You may have seen a certain twitter journalist beloved by white supremacist groups blaming people with "out of state plates" for starting Oregon fires.I and other OPB reporters have spoken with multiple eyewitnesses who saw downed powerlines start many of the fires. © 2021 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. I really want to thank everyone for their hard work to get us to this point," said Northwest Incident Management Team 8 Deputy Incident Commander Kevin Stock. Highway 62 has been shut down from Highway 234 north through Shady Cove to the intersection with Tiller-Trail Highway as people continue to evacuate the area, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Crews were able to connect fire lines on the south and western edges of the fire and are now in the mop-up stage. ET A farm is leveled by the South Obenchain Fire along Butte Falls Highway in Eagle Point, Oregon, September 10. Many evacuation orders have eased on the South Obenchain Fire over the past several days as growth of the fire began to slow. Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation warnings have been issued along Rogue River Drive from Highway 234 to Shady Cove, and along Highway 62 from Eagle Point to Shady Cove. In addition, repair groups are cleaning up dozer lines, fixing fences and other things damaged or moved during fire suppression tactics. Only call 911 if flames are actively spreading and life or property are threatened. My colleague Vivian Ho has written about how Californians without shelter or protective masks face dangerous, extended exposure: Some national Democratic leaders also have been slow to call attention to the fires in California, Oregon and Washington which have killed more than 20, forced millions to breathe ash from orange-tinted skies that are blocking out the sun, and seen hundreds of thousands of people flee their homes. "Dry southeast winds pushed the fire towards Shady Cove resulting in the evacuation of 5000 residents," the agency said. The department did not explain what necessitated the leadership change. Firefighters on the night shift worked to construct a primary lines, and more resources are being sent in the area to build up a containment line. Officials said that the influx of more favorable weather would aid fire crews in further containing the flames this weekend, which have engulfed a massive area north of Sacramento. "The southwest perimeter is holding. I have the absolute confidence in Mariana to lead OSFM operations through this critical time,” he continued. EAGLE POINT, Ore. — The Worthington Fire is burning between Eagle Point and Butte Falls. Winds are expected to increase Sunday which would clear some smoke out of the area. High temperatures and strong winds continue to create disastrous fire conditions across Oregon. "The east flank of the fire remains most active and continues to burn in steep terrain and heavy timber," officials said. "Residents of Shady Cove should Be Set to evacuate! A farm is leveled by the South Obenchain Fire along Butte Falls Highway in Eagle Point, Oregon, on Sept. 10, 2020. According to fire officials, the South Obenchain Fire was very active again today with running and spotting .3 miles ahead of the fire. Spotty rain and moisture will help fire crews contain the flames burning through the area. Brian Ballou with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) told NewsWatch 12 that the Worthington Fire is now estimated at roughly 500 acres. On the eastern flank, crews were able to add an additional containment line, but the heavy smoke in the area halted air attacks on the fire. The August Complex fire –which began as 37 separate fires sparked a rare bout of dry lightning in mid-August – has grown into the largest fire on record in California, displacing the Mendocino Complex fire – which burned the same region 2018 – for the top spot. Thunderstorms moving into the area on Thursday afternoon could revive strong winds, and fire officials say that crews are remaining vigilant for gusts that could spread embers beyond their lines. The total acreage burned since the beginning of 2020 is nearly 4.7 million, compared with the 10-year average of 5.7 million acres at this point of the year, the NIFC said. Four task forces of structural engines with the Oregon State Fire Marshal, are working along the Butte Falls Highway and in the Shady Cove area triaging and providing point protection. On Monday, slies might stiill be gray, but “it will be a welcome gray, as moisture laden clouds increase,” per the weather service. Here’s what that looks like in satellite imagery: Latest satellite imagery shows wildfire smoke above Oregon, Washington and the entire West Coast @NASA @NOAA #OregonFires #WashingtonFires #CaliforniaFires pic.twitter.com/rTvq2k0MYp. An updated interactive map of Jackson County evacuations can be viewed here. Klamath Basin News, Thursday, 9/10 – Two For Two Chiloquin Fire Rages at 12,500 Acres, Rogue Valley Fires are Devastating The Area From Ashland to Medford to Eagle Point September 10, 2020 September 10, 2020 Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoke from the fires can make people more prone to lung infections, including Covid-19. The last fire map provided by officials showed a large spot fire or extension of the fire's main area driving north, roughly parallel to Highway 62 and located to the southeast of Shady Cove. If the air space is not clear, fire operations cannot continue flying. UPDATE: Evacuation orders for the South Obenchain Fire were unchanged as of Thursday morning, with few updates coming in from the fire lines. For instance, we've notived the South Obenchain fire (near the old Worthington Fire, in red) this way. As of Friday morning, the South Obenchain Fire was still estimated at 23,150 acres with no containment. @Oakland air respite centers open this weekend (Sat-Sun): 81st St Library: 1021 81st Av, 1 pm – 7pm St. Vincent de Paul: 2272 San Pablo Av, 9 am -3 pm Dimond Library: 3565 Fruitvale Av, Noon – 7 pm North Oakland Senior Center: 5714 MLK Jr. Way, Noon – 5 pm #OakMtg. 11 Arizona on the road, 67-51. UPDATE: The South Obenchain Fire is now just two miles south of Shady Cove, according to the latest from fire officials. About 1.47m acres of Oregon and Washington have been engulfed in flames, according to the Bureau of Land Management, with 27 large fires burning. "This closure will help facilitate evacuations of the area due to increased fire activity from the Obenchain Fire," the agency said. Climate activists say the tepid political response, particularly from the Democratic House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, is yet another sign that US politicians are far from ready to take concrete steps to deal with the realities of climate change, let alone write laws to stop burning fossil fuels in order to slow its effects. As of 8 p.m. Saturday, the Worthington Fire burning about five miles northeast of Eagle Point will shift from Oregon Department of Forestry command to a local Type 3 Incident Management Team. Obenchain Area Fire Map, Eagle Point - Jackson County, Oregon ODF said that firefighters are working on a line near Butte Falls Highway. At the time of the request, the fire threatened 1,291 households in and around the communities of Eagle Point, White City, Butte Falls, Shady Cove, and the surrounding Rouge Valley. This fire is 20,250 acres and 0% contained, having started five miles east of Eagle Point, Oregon. Guards at road blocks will require proof of residency for entrance. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office along with fire managers from the South Obenchain fire decided to lower evacuation levels this evening from a level 3 to a level 2 in the Indian Creek area for people living outside of the fire's perimeter. Misinformation about the fires in Oregon has continued to be an issue. Areas under evacuation order include all of Butte Falls, Cobleigh Rd., the McNeil Creek Area, and Crowfoot Road due to the Obenchain Fire. Once the smoke clears enough for aircraft, they will be used to help firefighters pinpoint those hot spots and respond appropriately. UPDATE: Firefighters are trying to dig in along the north and east flanks of the South Obenchain Fire in order to keep it from reaching Shady Cove and Butte Falls, according to the latest from fire officials. Please, folks, stay calm and use common sense.”. As the fires turn the air toxic, unhoused people are especially vulnerable. All perimeter areas of the fire have been downgraded to a level 2 evacuation order, including Butte Falls. There is a temporary evacuation point at the Jackson County Expo, no sheltering is available," Jackson County Emergency Management said. September 12, 2020. EAGLE POINT, Ore. — Fire crews responded to a growing fire roughly five miles to the northeast of Eagle Point on Thursday afternoon, later prompting evacuation orders for one nearby road. It started late Thursday afternoon around roughly 4 P.M. ODF said it grew to 150 acres by 5:45 Thursday evening and is spreading East. The entire air operation must be shut down until the air space is reported clear. On the south perimeter in the Worthington Road area, good dozer line is established and holding. 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