Smith River Complex Fire jumps border into Oregon; ‘Be Set’ evacuations ordered

A blaze burning more than 52,500 acres in California hopped the border Wednesday into southern Oregon and remains 0% contained.

Only about 325 acres are burning on the Oregon side of the line, primarily in Rogue River-Siskiyou National forestlands in Curry County. “Be Set” and “Be Ready” evacuation orders have been announced in areas near O’Brien, a rural burg of about 500 in neighboring Josephine County.

Nearly 1,500 firefighters are battling the wildfire, which consists of 27 separate blazes that first ignited in California’s Del Norte County on Aug. 15.

Fire maps based on heat data show the flames already creeping into Josephine County. But a Northwest Incident fire team spokesperson says helicopter and drone crews took advantage of northerly winds Wednesday to visually map the fire, and don’t believe it’s crossed the county line into Josephine yet.

“The fire wasn’t moving very much, and we weren’t socked in by smoke, at least on the north end of the fire,” spokesperson Mary Huels said.

Officials have ordered Level 2 “Be Set” evacuations in Josephine County south of Lone Mountain to the state border, encompassing about 88 homes and outbuildings along U.S. 199 near Elk, Blue, Dwight and Gilligan creeks. Fire crews in the area are setting up sprinklers and clearing foliage near some of these homes, Huels said.

Level 1 “Be Ready” orders encompass almost 900 structures in O’Brien itself and nearby Takilma.

Officials have closed U.S. 199 to all traffic at the Oregon-California border, and Pacific Power has de-energized wires serving several coastal California towns. Around 1,200 people in California have evacuated, some as far as to Brookings, Oregon.

While winds have been favorable so far, meteorologists expect thunderstorms to roll through the area this afternoon, with minimal rain and wind gusts up to 40 MPH.

“They’re worried about new fires,” said Huels. “Sooner or later this wind is going to want to push it across into Josephine County.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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— Zane Sparling; zsparling@oregonian.com; 503-319-7083; @pdxzane

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