Saturday Morning MP 97 Fire Update: Fire now at 9,000 Acres

The fire is estimated at just under 9,000 acres in size. A level 1 evacuation remains in place for all residences on the west side of the freeway between Interstate mileposts 88-83. This includes: Barton Road, Azalea-Glen Road, Old Booth Lane, Harrel Lane, Hobbs Lane, Fortune Branch Road on the Azalea-Glen side Forrest Road Realty Road, Quines Creek Road, and Mobley Drive. Additionally, a Level 1 "Ready" notice is also being issued for all residences off of Upper Cow Creek Road starting at Interstate 5 milepost 88, east to the base of Galesville Dam. 15 helicopters are currently assigned to the fire along with a host of large air tankers and smaller single engine air tankers. Close to 900 firefighters are currently assigned to the fire that are split into day and night shift operations. I-5 southbound around the fire area has been reduced to one lane for firefighter safety. The fire is roughly two miles from the Azalea Glen area and 4 miles from the Windy Creek/Fortune Branch area. Photo by Ryan Finlay of Azalea area early Saturday morning.