The Milepost 97 Fire is estimated at just under 9,000 acres as of Saturday morning.
A release from the Oregon Department of Forestry said a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation remains in place for all residences on the west side of the freeway for a 5 mile stretch between mileposts 88 and 83. That includes Barton Road, Azalea-Glen Road, Old Booth Lane, Harrel Lane, Hobbs Lane, Fortune Branch Road on the Azalea-Glen side, Forrest Road, Realty Road, Quines Creek Road, and Mobley Drive.
A Level 1 notice is also in effect for all residences off of Upper Cow Creek Road starting at Interstate 5 milepost 88, east to the base of Galesville Dam.
15 helicopters are currently assigned to the fire along with a host of large air tankers and smaller single engine air tankers. Close to 900 firefighters are currently assigned to the fire. They are split into day and night shift operations.
Southbound Interstate Five is limited to a single lane from milepost 97-95, about 2 miles south of Canyonville. That closure is in place to allow fire crews to clear debris from the side of the road. The northbound and southbound off-ramps at the Canyon Creek exit 95 remain closed.