WHITE CITY, Ore. (May 29, 2021) – Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District firefighters are actively engaged in a wildfire in the hills above the 9600-block of East Antelope road outside of White City. The fire is estimated to be 30 acres and is currently 95% lined and 0% mopped up.
The report of smoke initially was called in around 2:45 p.m. When resources first arrived on scene, it was estimated to be 7-10 acres and growing up-slope. Engines and resources from ODF, Bureau of Land Management, Jackson County Fire District 3 and Lake Creek Fire, along with a crew, a bulldozer and a type 1 helicopter were ordered and engaged in an aggressive initial attack. Another type 1 and a type 2 helicopter were ordered, along with resources to come in for a night shift. Despite hot and windy conditions, firefighters were able to make good progress on slowing the spread of the fire within the first three hours.
Antelope road is blocked by Jackson County Roads The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and Jackson County Emergency Management have issued Level 2 evacuations (Be Set) for all addresses south of the roadblock at 8465 E. Antelope Road. Initial notifications to residences were made by JCSO patrol units and Oregon State Police (OSP).
Investigators will be on scene to work on determining the cause of the fire. In the next week, the weather is continuing to warm up; temperatures are forecasted to be in the 100’s this week. Please use extreme caution, as fires can easily spread in these conditions. Fire updates are available online at www.swofire.com and Facebook, @ODFSouthwest.