A bushfire near Henry Hagg Lake on Thursday prompted authorities to issue several evacuation orders to nearby residents.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 3 “Leave Immediately” evacuation order for the city of Cherry Grove. People in the area are advised to leave their homes immediately.
The evacuation order also extends to people living along Southwest Oak Street and Southwest Nixon Drive in Gaston.
The Lee Falls fire is estimated to be over 100 acres and 0% contained. The Oregon Department of Forestry says its firefighters are on the scene with six fire engines and four crews, along with two firefighting aircraft pulling water from the lake.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order early Thursday afternoon for residents of Southwest Oak Street and Southwest Nixon Drive in Gaston, Oregon, about 24 miles west of downtown Portland.
Level 2 “Be Set” notices have also been issued for areas west of Lee Road, the town of Cherry Grove and south of Southwest Sain Creek Road.
A Level 1 Be Ready warning is now in effect for people living north of Southwest Sain Creek Road to Southwest Scoggins Valley Road. This also applies to Southwest Stepien Road.
According to the sheriff’s office, the Knights of Pythias Gaston Lodge will be open after 5 p.m. Thursday for homeless community members seeking shelter.
Persons with livestock and horses are asked to bring them to the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Henry Hagg Lake Park is currently closed so aircraft can access the water and help extinguish the fire.
Current information on the evacuation can be found here on the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
