Hunters trapped by Oregon wildfire reach safety

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A wildfire that sprang up quickly trapped two bow hunters.

They reached safety without the help of a helicopter, which the local sheriff thought might be neeeded to get them out OK.

Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer says the husband and wife called relatives Tuesday night saying they were going to hike out, but they couldn't.

Their car was on the south side of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Area. Two dozen more people were evacuated from camps.

Palmer told the Oregonian Wednesday the roads are impassible and horses are blocked by downed trees, so he called for a helicopter.

The helicopter proved unnecessary, however.

He described the hunters as in their 40s from the Portland area. He says they were likely hunting deer or elk.

The cause of the Parish Cabin fire is under investigation.

The fire is estimated to be 5,000 acres is located 12 miles northeast of Seneca, Ore., near the intersection of forest Roads 15 and 16.

For public and firefighter safety, persons who may have been evacuated are not allowed to enter the fire area at this time. Officials are in the process of establishing a process for allowing evacuee's entry to Parish Cabin Campground as well as surrounding camping areas. When it is deemed safe to enter the area, an announcement will be made and the process will be explained.

For firefighter and public safety, roads in the area will be closed and road guards will be posted. Checkpoints will be located at the intersections of Forest Roads 15 and 1520, 1710 and 1619, and 15 and 1540 roads; as well as Forest Road 16 at Biggs Ranch, and Forest Road 16 at the east end of Logan valley. The public is advised to remain out of the area due to extreme fire activity.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press