The Austin Fire burning southeast of Estacada, Oregon, has grown to more than 1,000 acres in the Mount Hood National Forest, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Ignited in a remote area along the slopes north of Forest Road 46 and just west of Forest Road 4660, the blaze remains zero percent contained, prompting local authorities to issue a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation order for surrounding areas.
Mount Hood National Forest Fire Activity and Closures
Fire crews and aerial support are actively working to suppress the Austin Fire alongside two other nearby blazes in the Clackamas River Ranger District, according to Forest Service officials. Helicopters made repeated water drops over the Austin Fire throughout Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, firefighters have slowed the 16-acre Mitchell Fire in the Roaring River Wilderness, and a smaller 1.5-acre Narrows Fire is burning through dead trees left behind by the 2020 Riverside Fire.
The escalating fire activity has forced multiple closures across the national forest. Forest Road 46 is closed between Forest Road 63 and Forest Road 4660, and Forest Road 5830 is closed at its junction with Forest Road 58. Additionally, the Hideaway Lake, Shellrock, and Riverford campgrounds are closed to the public.
Bagby Hot Springs Precautionary Closure and Access Routes
While the Austin Fire was not threatening Bagby Hot Springs directly as of Wednesday, August 26, Bagby Preservation owner Mike Rysavy issued a precautionary closure for the popular destination southwest of Ripplebrook. Prevailing winds have pushed the fire away from the hot springs and the Ripplebrook Camp Store, according to Rysavy.
“The danger isn’t really right now that the fire could be coming toward the store or toward the hot springs,” Rysavy said. “The Level 3 evacuation zone comes up to Road 63 and almost all the way up to Ripplebrook, and that’s the access route to get to the hot springs.”
Rysavy urged visitors to stay away from the area to keep roads clear for incoming fire crews and to prevent travelers from getting cut off if the fire shifts direction.
Related reading