September 6, 2024 3:50 a.m. 

Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association, the Umpqua National Forest and other agencies are dealing with two fires in Douglas County.

At about 2:10 p.m. Thursday, firefighters from several agencies responded to a fire located near Devils Knob Road and north of Joe Hall Creek in the Tiller area. Aerial and ground resources actively engaged in an aggressive initial attack. As of Thursday night, that fire was estimated to be between 800 and 1,000 acres.

At around 5:15 p.m. crews from DFPA, deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and staff from Oregon Department of Transportation and several south county fire agencies responded to a fire near milepost 98 in the Canyonville area. Upon arrival at the scene, a fully engulfed vehicle and an actively growing natural cover fire were found. Aerial and ground resources took immediate action and began an aggressive initial attack. That fire was estimated at 100 acres as of Thursday night.

Due to the fast-paced fire, evacuations were ordered in coordination with DCSO:

*LEVEL 3 – GO NOW! Is in effect for all homes in the 100-7000 block of Ritchie Road in the Canyonville area

*LEVEL 2 – BE SET to evacuate is in place for all homes in the 100-950 block of Canyon Creek Road in the Canyonville area.

Traffic is being controlled to one through lane southbound on Interstate 5 from milepost 98 to milepost 97 for public and firefighter safety.

An update on this fire is expected Friday morning.

Pictures from both fires are posted with this story at www.541radio.com.