Residents of Three Rivers subdivision in Central Oregon are still under evacuation due to the Graham Fire. The fire is estimated to be burning approximately 2,000 acres.
The Graham Fire was reported late Thursday afternoon, a wind-driven fire burning in brush, timber and grass south of the Metolius River arm of Lake Billy Chinook near Culver, Oregon. The fire has burned private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry and Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue, as well as Bureau of Land Management ownership.
Jim Gersbach, with the Oregon Department of Forestry, says 1,000 homes are threatened and 500 homes are under a level three evacuation order in the Three Rivers subdivision.
Most of the homes are used for vacations, but around 100 people live there year round.
Residents and the public are reminded not to cross roadblocks into evacuation areas. Some structures may have been damaged by the fire, but due to safety concerns firefighters have not been able to investigate all areas of the fire.
For further information regarding evacuations, please refer to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Facebook site or call Jefferson County Sheriff at 541-475-6520.
Oregon State Fire Marshall is working on assessing properties within the fire boundary. Multiple resources are on scene and firefighters will continue to mop up around structures, flank the edge of the fire and try to contain the fire that is pushing to the northeast through Big Canyon. Additional resources have been ordered and are arriving Friday. Warm temperatures are anticipated in the next few days along with the return of windy conditions which will continue to push firefighters working on the fire.