September 3, 2022 1:00 p.m. 

The Roseburg Forest Products veneer mill in Weed California was not damaged in the Mill Fire which began Friday, though an empty building on company property did burn.

Communications Director Rebecca Taylor told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that when the fire began the mill, which employs 145 people, was evacuated. Taylor said, “Our primary concern is the safety of the community, first responders, and our team members as this tragedy continues to unfold in Weed”. At least one team member lost their home, according to Taylor. She said the company will provide assistance just as they did after the Boles Fire in 2014.

Taylor said “We are waiting for more information to come in, but fire authorities are busy saving lives and homes”.

Information from Cal Fire said the fire was up to 3,921 acres as of early Saturday afternoon. Containment is listed at 20 percent. Highway 97 is closed in the area of the fire. A state of emergency was declared in Siskiyou County on Friday. The number of homes and buildings destroyed so far and the total number of people evacuated has not been officially announced by Cal Fire.

The cause of the Mill Fire is under investigation.