x
Breaking News
More () »

Gaston, OR, fire grows to 400 acres, evacuation order remains

The brush fire was first reported near Hagg Lake at 2:24 p.m., according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Scoggins Creek Fire

GASTON, Ore. – Residents near a fire in Gaston that grew from a small brush fire to over 400 acres in a day have been ordered to evacuate.

Gov. Kitzhaber authorized the state to send resources to help fight the Scoggins Creek Fire late Friday night.

Fire officials said the expected hot temperatures and high winds could make firefighting conditions very difficult on Saturday.

The brush fire was first reported near Henry Hagg Lake at 2:24 p.m. Friday, according to Rod Nichols, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Forestry. It ignited in an area of replanted timber that is around 10 to 15 years old on the Northwest side of the lake.

The fire rapidly spread to 400 acres by Saturday morning near Southwest Scoggins Valley Road and Stepien Road. It was approximately two miles from Hagg Lake and 8 miles from Forest Grove.

At 5 p.m., Forest Grove Fire issued a Level 3 evacuation alert for all residents on Southwest Stepien Road, affecting up to 50 homes and small farms with livestock.

A Level 1 evacuation alert was issued for residents on SW Plumlee Road, SW Carpenter Creek Road, SW Bear Creek Drive, SW Morel Lane, SW Chanterelle Drive, SW Easterday Road, SW Reeher Place, SW Ihrig Road, SW Jex Lane, SW Sylvia Lane and SW Oppenlander Lane, Forest Grove fire officials said.

Those residents don't need to immediately leave but should be prepared to evacuate.

An evacuation shelter was set to open at Dilley Elementary School at 4115 SW Dilley Road around 7:30 p.m.

The Red Cross was working to find a place for affected livestock.

Officials said "this is a very dangerous and rapidly evolving situation" in a dry area that hasn't had a major fire in decades.

The Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Grove Fire and the Gaston Fire Department, with assistance from other agencies, were working to fight the fire.

KGW viewers were sharing photos of the fire, which could be seen from communities miles away and from the Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro.

Drivers should avoid the area and people were told to stay away from Hagg Lake.

Before You Leave, Check This Out