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Firefighters have contained 50% of the 35-acre Aubrey Mountain Fire, allowing people to return home under a “Level 2” evacuation notice, which means they should be ready to leave if conditions change. Crews will continue mop-up work overnight and into Saturday.
The Aubrey Mountain Fire, east of Oakridge, continues to burn into the weekend after emergency responders issued evacuation orders for residents and shut down a stretch of Highway 58 a day earlier.
Crews with the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Oakridge Fire and EMS responded Thursday afternoon to the report of several ignitions shortly before 4 p.m.
Nine engines, two hand crews, an interagency hotshot crew, three helicopters and two airtankers worked relentlessly in initial attack — an approach to suppress a fire while it is still relatively small.
In the days that have followed, crews have worked around the clock to build a perimeter around the fire, containing 65 percent of the 25-acre burn. The fire was estimated at 35 acres Friday, but improved mapping has since captured a more accurate measurement, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
As a result, Highway 58 has since reopened, with one lane open between milepost 36 to 62. People have been allowed to return home.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office downgraded the orders from “Level 3,” issued Thursday to evacuate immediately, to “Level 1” Sunday.
It affects 14 residences, or about 50 people, according to the county’s evacuation map.
“Go now” evacuation alerts were issued because of a wildfire burning east of Oakridge Aug. 7. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
Air cranes drop water on the wildfire just east of Oakridge on Aug. 7. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
Air tankers work the fire. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
Emergency vehicles converge in Oakridge. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
The Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service were both sending equipment to the fire. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
Evacuation alerts were issued for some properties east of Oakridge. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
An air crane drops water on a wildfire east of Oakridge Aug. 7. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
Emergency vehicles head east on a closed Highway 58 on Aug. 7. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
Smoke rises from the 269MF Fire. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
A large section of Highway 58 was closed. Credit: Craig Strobeck / Lookout Eugene-Springfield 
A plume of smoke rises near Oakridge. Credit: Alert Oregon / Oregon Hazards Lab
Extreme heat, fire danger persists
Hot and dry weather in the coming days could cause new fires to spread quickly, fire forecasters warn.
Temperatures are expected to reach about a high of 98 degrees Sunday, with an extreme heat warning in effect. Winds are forecasted to be light, between 5 and 9 miles per hour Sunday.
The U.S. Forest Service is asking people to avoid the area for firefighter safety.
Why evacuations are still in place
Thermal drone imaging from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office detected multiple hot spots near Robert’s Ranch Road within the evacuation zone. That data, along with logistical and crew safety concerns, factored into the decision to maintain the Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation order for more than 24 hours.
Daniel Bessett and two members of his crew — including one on their first day — watched smoke rise and aircraft circle a few miles from the fire Thursday afternoon. His fire and excavation company, based in Pleasant Hill, contracts with the Oregon Department of Forestry and other agencies.
After a call from dispatch requesting additional resources, including a dozer, Bessett responded.
“So we loaded it up,” Bessett said, holding a radio and waiting for instructions. Heading in too early, he said, could disrupt ongoing operations. “With the air attack, looks like they’re gonna hit it hard, and then we’ll probably go ahead and move in.”
Oakridge’s new normal
Oakridge residents along First Street watched the fire from their porches Thursday evening, while others continued their routines — dining at local restaurants or attending football practice.
A column of smoke still hung over the city Friday, with haze settling into the basin-shaped valley known for trapping smoke.
Oakridge and its surrounding communities are no strangers to summer wildfires, a recurring threat that has contributed to the region’s ranking among areas with the worst air quality in the country.
Last summer, the lightning-sparked Willamette Complex Fire burned near Oakridge for weeks.
The cause of the Aubrey Mountain Fire remains unknown.
“It used to be a rare occasion that we would have a fire this close to town,” said Oakridge Fire Chief Scott Hollett. “Now it’s every single year for about the last five years.”
Jaime Adame, Ashli Blow, Grace Chinowsky, Mike McInally, Bob Passaro, and Lillian Schrock-Clevenger contributed to this story.