FIRE BREAKS OUT ON SOUTH SIDE OF ASHLAND
Monday, September 21, 2009
The current fire,which is not yet contained, was reported mid-morning near the intersection of Siskiyou Boulevard and Crowson Road, has spread and burned approx. 80 acres on the southern edge of Ashland and filled the skies with smoke and ash throughout the town.
Fire engines from all over the valley, several aircrafts and helicopters as well as a retardant bomber were all headed to help put out the fire.
The scene on Tolman Creek Road was outrageous around 1 p.m. CERT Volunteers (Community Emergency Response Team) were directing traffic on the corner of Tolman and Siskiyou and homeowners off Siskiyou and Tolman are on the streets in owe. The police and fire departments have not given details yet on the damage, but as of now witnesses have said they can see homes and structures have been burned.
Emergancy vechicals from all over the valley were still apprearing at the scene as well as helocopters droping water from overhead around 2:30 p.m. However around 2:45 p.m. a fire broke out in Medford and some firefighters needed to leave the ashland scene to go fight the newest edition to todays heat wave.
Ashland officials called for manditory evacuations of Tolman Creek Road from the 1400 block and above as well as Timerlake Drive, Greenmeadow, Bellview, Morada Lane, Apple Way, Ranch Road and surrounding areas.
At the time being 6:30 p.m. CERT volenteers are allowing traffic to go up Tolman but no one can go above greenmeadows unless they live there.
(Schools) Bellview School has been evacuated. Students were taken to Ashland Middle School. Parents, please pick up your children at the Ashland Middle School Commons.
Bellview Elementary School will be closed on Tuesday 9/22.
The Siskiyou School was evacuated as well but school will resume on Tuesday 9/22
Exclusive on the Scene Photos by Hillary Gorson can be seen here and photos taken on Tolman later here
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