An unknown number of homes were evacuated Wednesday after a brush fire broke out near the intersection of Highway 99E and South End Road between Canby and Oregon City Wednesday afternoon.
Clackamas Fire Captain Brandon Paxton tells The Canby Current the fire was first reported shortly after 4 p.m. in the 2300 block of South End Road.
Properties within a quarter-mile of that location were placed on level 3 evacuation (go now) status. Reverse 911 was also activated.
The Canby Current on Twitter: “ALERT: Confirmed vegetation fire in the 21000 block of Highway 99E north of South End Road. Multiple agencies responding. All lanes closed on 99E and South End Road in both directions. Level 3 evacuation notice on South Reflection Lane. @CanbyFire @clackamasfire pic.twitter.com/GUr3BUJ2mg / Twitter”
ALERT: Confirmed vegetation fire in the 21000 block of Highway 99E north of South End Road. Multiple agencies responding. All lanes closed on 99E and South End Road in both directions. Level 3 evacuation notice on South Reflection Lane. @CanbyFire @clackamasfire pic.twitter.com/GUr3BUJ2mg
Paxton did not yet know the size of the fire.
“We haven’t gotten on top of it yet,” he told the Current at approximately 5:30. “If you know that area, it’s very rocky and steep. It appears to have crept over the cliffs.”
Video from the scene: pic.twitter.com/4Q8MulXP7H
— The Canby Current (@CanbyCurrent) July 15, 2021
The fire closed all lanes of Highway 99E between Tumwater and New Era Road. South End Road was also closed.
Canby Fire, Clackamas Fire and multiple other agencies were on the scene.
Clackamas County Fairgrounds is the staging area for evacuees, with or without animals.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.