A new wildfire is burning and growing rapidly on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, about 15 miles northwest of Lakeview, a rural Oregon town and Lake County seat.
The Cougar Peak fire was discovered about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday and had grown to 3,200 acres by Wednesday afternoon, according to a news release from the Lakeview Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service. The cause is under investigation.
The fire is growing in mixed conifer and brush and is threatening Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands. By Tuesday afternoon, Cottonwood Campground and Reservoir, about 1.5 miles west of the fire, was evacuated.
By Tuesday night, Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations were ordered for residents who live on Lower Cottonwood Road north to Forest Road 3870-041. It’s unclear how many people were affected.
Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuations were issued for residents on Forest Road 28, from the Forest Boundary northwest to Cox Flat.
Multiple air and ground resources fought the fire Tuesday night, with more resources expected to mobilize Wednesday. Three heavy air tankers and three helicopters were helping. Turbulent winds Tuesday made efforts difficult for air firefighting, officials said.
Smoke from the fire is highly visible along Oregon 140 between Lakeview and Quartz Mountain, as well as along U.S. 395. Drivers should use caution due to increased traffic from wildland firefighting equipment.
Despite the turbulent winds, five heavy air tankers fought the fire Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Area residents and visitors are also asked to avoid traveling on forest roads near the fire, including Forest Road 28 and Forest Road 3870, also known as Cottonwood Road.
A Red Flag warning was in effect for the area from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and fire danger remains “extreme” in Lake and Klamath counties. Dry fuels and seasonal winds can make even a small spark rapidly grow into a large wildfire, officials said.
This story may be updated.
--Oregonian/OregonLive
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September 08, 2021 at 10:17PM
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Cougar Peak fire in Lake County grows to 3,200 acres, prompts evacuations - OregonLive
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