Lightning could start new forest fires as existing blazes rage
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Firefighters in Oregon are on the lookout for lightning that could touch off a new round of blazes even as fires still burning in Oregon rapidly grew in size.
The month-old Rattle fire east of Roseburg grew 1,700 acres Monday, shooting flames 100 feet high. It is now burning within a 5,700-acre area.
Almost 1,000 people are assigned to the fire, including 10 helicopters.
Two weeks ago, the fire was burning on 900 acres and firefighters hoped to contain it within the existing dirt road system. The fire exploded two weekends ago, however, more than doubling in size and jumping the paved Highway 138.
A stretch of Hwy. 138 remains closed, forcing students from Glide middle and high schools to attend classes at the one-room Toketee Falls Elementary School and disrupting travel to Crater Lake National Park.
Lightning could spark more forest fires
Jeree Mills of the federal dispatching agency in Portland says the forests are as dry as they've been all summer, especially in southwestern Oregon.
Mills says crews are in place to deal with the dry lightning expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
She says three 20-person Hotshot crews are in place in Medford, and two are in Roseburg.
Three air tankers are fueled and ready to fly out of Medford.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
