Priceboro Fire Update: August 5, 2023 at 9:40 a.m.

Priceboro Fire Update: August 5, 2023 at 9:40 a.m.

While the Priceboro Fire east of Harrisburg didn’t grow in size overnight, the fire continued to burn against the strong efforts of fire crews and equipment. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry – South Cascade, the fire is currently holding at approximately 200 acres. Crews battled active burning along the edge of the fire and short-range spotting last night. Spotting is a term for when the wind carries embers from the fire and starts new, smaller fires outside of the fire’s perimeter. Today, new resources from other ODF districts and private contractors will relieve crews that responded to the fire yesterday and worked throughout the night. They will focus on holding and improving the established lines. Both ground assets and air assets are hard at work today attacking the fire.

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan urges citizens to avoid the area of Priceboro Drive and Mt. Tom Drive in the Harrisburg area of Linn County. Emergency response vehicles and crews, along with heavy equipment vehicles, are constantly moving along the area roadways, and unnecessary additional traffic can impede their ability to move quickly to combat the fire.

Evacuation levels put in place last night (see photo for details) remain in place at this time. The Emergency Operations Center for Linn County is in constant contact with Incident Command at the Priceboro Fire, and are assessing the evacuation levels regularly.

Displaced residents are reminded that shelter space is open for use at the Linn County Fair & Expo (3700 Knox Butte Rd E, Albany, OR 97322).

Sheriff Michelle Duncan wants to recognize the amazing work and dedication of the fire crews from Harrisburg Fire & Rescue, the Oregon Department of Forestry – South Cascade, and the pilots of air assets along with the heavy equipment operators working the fire. Additionally, since the first report of the fire was received by the Linn County 9-1-1 Communications Center, Linn County residents have been served by a stellar crew of dispatch personnel juggling ‘regular’ emergency 9-1-1 calls and radio communications, on top of an abundance of additional communications traffic directly related to the Priceboro Fire. In addition, Linn County deputies have been working extra shifts to ensure all residents are safely evacuated, and the area remains secure. Linn County is also served by an exceptional corps of volunteers (Medical Reserve Corps and Linn County Search & Rescue) who are assisting Linn County Public Health with the sheltering location at the Linn County Fair & Expo, as well as staffing the phone bank at the Emergency Operations Center. Thank you also to personnel from the Linn County Road Department and Linn County GIS personnel, who are assisting with road closures and mapping needs.

Area residents are urged to follow us here on our social media, and the Oregon Department of Forestry – South Cascade, for updates. When evacuation levels change, notices will be published here.