Umpqua national forest campgrounds evacuated as 100-acre bunker fire continues
Umpqua national forest campgrounds evacuated as 100-acre bunker fire continues
27 June 2015
published by http://kpic.com
USA ROSEBURG, Ore. — U.S. Forest Service officials evacuated Bunker Hill, East Lemolo and Inlet campgrounds near Lemolo Lake as a safety precaution while the Bunker Fire burns one mile north of the lake.
Lemolo Lake Resort and Poole Creek Campgrounds remain open.
Officials say the 100-acre fire started Friday afternoon from lightning. Five other fires are also confirmed on the Diamond Lake Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest. Fire crews are responding to additional smoke reports across the Forest.
In anticipation of thunderstorms throughout the weekend, the Umpqua National Forest has ramped up staffing of firefighting resources. Fire officials are prepared to rapidly respond to fire starts.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for southwest Oregon through 11 a.m. Sunday, June 28. Current temperatures are unseasonably high and fuel moistures are considerably lower than normal for this time of year, according to the Forest Service.
Earlier this week, fire officials increased the fire danger level to “high” for the entire Umpqua National Forest. The Forest will be moving to Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions on Wednesday, July 1st, which limits campfires to developed campgrounds.