Evacuations downgraded as 2 fires burn in Warm Springs area

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)-- Several places were given evacuation notices as two fires burned in the Warm Springs area on Saturday.

The first, known as the Butte Creek Fire, broke out Friday five miles east of Simnasho, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

But on Saturday afternoon, the Warm Springs Police Department issued Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation notices for Jefferson Street and Simnasho. Schoolie Flatts was at a Level 2 "Be Ready" evacuation notice and The Island itself was under a Level 1 "Be Ready" notice.

Additionally, the fire activity temporarily closed a section of Highway 26, but it reopened at around 6:30 p.m.

At around 10 p.m. Saturday, officials downgraded evacuations in Simnasho from Level 3 to Level 2, due to "successful ground crew efforts and effective aerial suppression operations." But they warned residents to remain alert and prepared to evacuate again in case conditions change.

Meanwhile, a fire in the Greeley Heights area also prompted a Level 3 evacuation notices for the Mt. Jefferson area and Level 2 for the Jackson Trail. But by 10:30 p.m., officials downgraded those evacuations to Level 1.

As of Sunday morning, the Butte Creek Fire is at 1,756 acres, with the Greeley Heights Fire burning at 381 acres.

Evacuation zone maps can be found here.