Ashland Fire On I-5 Wetlined & Contained By Firefighters
ASHLAND, Ore — By late yesterday afternoon, firefighters had contained a grass fire near milepost 11.5 on Interstate 5 South in Ashland. By the time it was contained, the fire had scorched less than 10 acres.
Fire On Ashland I-5
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District indicated that firefighters had the fire wet-lined and were keeping it in check with helicopter water bucket drops, stopping the fire’s forward progression.
Retardant loads were canceled as crews continued to work on lining the fire and bolstering lines.
The grass fire which burned along Interstate 5 just south of Ashland, triggered a level 3 (GO NOW!) evacuation for zone JAC-542 and a level 2 (BE SET!) evacuation for zone JAC-541. As the fire had been contained, nightshift crews were ordered and were set to be dedicated to mop-up operations.
The I-5 was closed on the southbound side and the Watch Duty app indicated there was no threat to the city of Ashland. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Ashland Fire Evacuations
Evacuations have subsequently been downgraded to level 1 for Zones JAC-541 and JAC-542. Evacuation shelters in Ashland:
- Jackson County Expo’s Mace building: Located at 1 Peninger Road in Central Point, there is also a small pet shelter in the Mace building.
- A livestock shelter can be found at the Jackson County Expo fairgrounds.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s office provided directions to the Jackson County Expo: Travelling on the I-5, take the Central Point exit (Exit 33), and turn right. From there, follow the road past the Family Fun Center. The fairgrounds will be on your right.
To find your evacuation zone, click here to be redirected to the website.
See also: Copperfield Fire Update: Crews Line Perimeter As Fire Covers Over 3,600 Acres