Updated: Scoggins Creek fire near Hagg Lake advances, Forest Grove shelter opens for displaced residents
A wildfire has torched about 150 acres near Henry Hagg Lake in Gaston and led to immediate evacuations of homes in the area Friday, authorities say.
Smoke and flames were reported about 2:20 p.m. near Southwest Scoggins Valley Road and Stepien Road. Maple and green trees are among the fuel for the fast-moving blaze, said Nick Hennemann, an Oregon Department of Forestry spokesman.
Hennemann said the area burned was reported by crews to have jumped from about 4 acres to more than 100 acres in one hour.
At least 70 firefighters have responded to the scene, but the wind-aided flames have forced crews to rely heavily on a helicopter dumping water retrieved from Hagg Lake onto the flames, according to Joel Peterson, a Gaston Rural Fire District chaplain. The lake has been closed while the helicopter has been flying in the area.
Level 3 immediate evacuations have been ordered for residents along Stepien Road, according to Joel Peterson, a Gaston Rural Fire District chaplain. Washington County Sheriff's deputies are knocking on doors to assist getting residents out of the area, he said.
At least 50 homes are on level 3 evacuations, Peterson said.
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue says level 1 cautionary evacuations have also been issued for all residents living off Southwest Plumlee Road, Southwest Carpenter Creek Road, Southwest Bear Creek Drive, Southwest Morel Lane, Southwest Chanterelle Drive, Southwest Easterday Road, Southwest Reeher Place, Southwest Ihrig Road, Southwest Jex Lane, Southwest Sylvia Lane, and Southwest Oppenlander Lane. The total number of affected homes have not been released.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. No injuries have been reported.
An evacuation shelter is planned to be set up at Dilley Elementary School, 4115 SW Dilley Road, by 7:30 p.m., according to Forest Grove Fire & Rescue.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
-- Everton Bailey Jr.