Wildfire Jumps I-5, Governor Declares Emergency in Siskiyou County
MEDFORD, Ore. (CBS/AP) -- A fire that jumped across Interstate 5 south of the Oregon border in California has closed the southbound lanes in that area, authorities said.
The Oregon Department of Transportation said Thursday evening that the southbound lanes would remain closed at Ashland, Oregon, with no estimated time for reopening.
The agency suggested motorists traveling toward California consider using Oregon 58 or 140 to U.S. 97.
The agency says the Klamathon Fire started Thursday afternoon and has forced evacuations in the small town of Hornbrook, California.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday that the blaze had burned nearly 8 square miles with 0 percent containment. Multiple structures are threatened, damaged or destroyed, the department said.
California Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for Siskiyou County, citing "extreme peril" to people and property. Hornbrook is in Siskiyou County.
No further information was immediately available.
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