It was a good day for firefighters working the Klamathon Fire on the Oregon and California border Monday.
With red flag warnings in effect, and concern about major fire spread due to high winds, the fire lines almost all held in place.
The fire grew only slightly to 36,500 acres, but is now 45 percent contained and is expected to be fully contained by July 15, according to reports.
“We now feel confident about this not being a season-long event,” said Melissa Cano, public information officer for Oregon Department of Forestry. “It’s really a testament to the firefighters on the Oregon and California side.”
The progress allowed fire teams to downgrade evacuation levels in multiple locations, including the Colestin Valley, outside Ashland, from "go now" to "get ready."
Evacuation levels were also downgraded in the Mount Ashland area.
Almost 2,800 firefighters are currently working a blaze that killed one civilian, injured three firefighters and destroyed 82 structures.
Firefighters aren’t entirely out of the woods, however.
Video: Timelapse of Klamathon Fire
The fire did cross lines on the northeastern flank, on the Oregon side of the border.
“The fire spotted over the line by about 7 acres, but we were able to catch it, regroup, and tie it all together again,” Cano said. “That area will be our main focus today, in addition to mopping up any hot spots.”
Progress also was made on the fire's southern flanks near Hornbrook, Calif., and to the east near Iron Gate Reservoir. That allowed some evacuation levels to drop on the California side as well.
