Wildfire in Ashland Prompts Evacuations, Freeway Closure

Residents Urged to Leave as Blaze Spreads Rapidly

A wildfire burning near Ashland, Oregon has prompted evacuations and the closure of a major freeway. The Almeda Fire broke out late Tuesday night and has quickly grown to over 1,000 acres.

Evacuations Ordered

Residents in the communities of Ashland, Talent, and Phoenix have been ordered to evacuate. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is urging people to leave immediately.

• Evacuation centers have been set up at the Jackson County Expo and the Ashland Armory.

Freeway Closure

The Almeda Fire has also forced the closure of Interstate 5 near Ashland. The freeway is closed in both directions between Exit 14 (Ashland) and Exit 19 (Phoenix).

Cause of the Fire

The cause of the Almeda Fire is still under investigation. However, the Oregon Department of Forestry says that the fire is human-caused.

Firefighting Efforts

Firefighters are battling the blaze from the ground and the air. Air tankers are dropping retardant on the fire to help slow its spread.

Public Safety

The public is urged to stay away from the fire area. Smoke from the fire is thick and can be hazardous to health.

For the latest information on the Almeda Fire, please visit the Jackson County Sheriff's Office website.