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Crews make progress on Oregon fire, but 2 areas evacuated

The Columbian
Published: August 23, 2015, 5:00pm

PORTLAND — The Grant County Sheriff’s Department ordered more evacuations near John Day because of a wildfire that has already destroyed dozens of homes.

The sheriff’s office issued the order Sunday night to people living in the Upper Dog Creek and Upper Pine Creek areas. Authorities have yet to say how many homes are affected.

The agency said the evacuation level was increased because southwest winds were pushing the flames into the Norton Fork of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.

The wildfire started by lightning Aug. 12 has burned more than 100 square miles, much of it in the Malheur National Forest. Firefighters have contained about 25 percent of it.

The blaze has wrecked about 40 homes and another 50 other buildings, such as barns.

Officials over the weekend otherwise reported good progress, with firefighters taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and lighter winds. Some crews were released because the threat to homes had diminished.

To the northeast, dry fuels and low humidity challenged crews on the Grizzly Bear Complex of fires in northeast Oregon and southeast Washington.

On the north side of the blaze, firefighters provided an escort to some evacuated residents living in the Slick Ear area. That allowed six cabin owners to remove their belongings.

Highway 26

The state Department of Transportation says a portion of Highway 26 will remain closed until at least noon Monday because of a wildfire near Manning, Ore.

ODOT spokesman Lou Torres says Highway 47 serves as a detour for eastbound and westbound traffic. Manning is about 30 miles west of Portland.

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