Wildfires rage as evacuations and road closures hit Gilliam and Wheeler Counties

CONDON – Wildfires continue to burn across much of Oregon, with the central region of the state being hit particularly hard.

In Gilliam County, three blazes are actively burning. The Hoag Fire, located south of Arlington, is burning near the Sherman-Gilliam county line. The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations for a wide area east of the county line, extending to Oregon Highway 19. Officials noted that perimeter lines currently appear to be holding, though multiple residences along French Charlie Road near Middle Rock Creek were lost to the flames.

To the south, the Hopkins Fire, located north of Condon, made an aggressive push northward Friday morning driven by high winds. Officials warned that travel restrictions may affect traffic on Oregon Highway 19 near Gwendolen.

Residents at the airbase off Richmond Lane near Condon were placed under a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation notice due to the advancing fire. An emergency shelter has been established at the South Gilliam Emergency Services Building in Condon. A Level 1 “Be Ready” notice remains in effect for areas directly south of Condon.

In neighboring Wheeler County, crews are battling multiple fires south of Fossil, triggering several evacuation orders. Oregon Highway 218 was closed Friday afternoon due to the active blazes. The highway connects to the town of Antelope, which was entirely evacuated earlier this week due to separate fire activity.

Photo from the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

---

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

---

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

Elkhorn Media Group