Sherriff's Office Reduces Evacuation Level on Wildcat Fire

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has reduced a previously issued Level 3 “GO!" evacuation notice put into place as a result of the Wildcat Fire burning off of Upper Cow Creek Road near Azalea. The Wildcat Fire is one of many fires burning within the Devils Knob Complex of fires. Effective Friday, August 13, 2021, at 8:00 a.m., the Sheriff's Office has reduced the following homes from a Level 3 “GO!” Evacuation Notice to a Level 2 “BE SET” Evacuation Notice: All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses starting at 20039 through 20700. Level 2 “Be SET” means: YOU MUST PREPARE TO LEAVE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE YOU RECEIVE. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. “Returning residents should be aware that the danger to the area has not fully been eliminated and they should continue to closely monitor the situation and be ready to leave immediately shoud the area be elevated back to a Level 3,” Sgt. Brad O'Dell said. “Firefighters are continuing to work in the area and with the hot weather conditions could rapidly deteriorate. However, at this point based on the information we have at this time, it seems appropriate to reduce the Level 3 to a Level 2.” Residents who return should not wait for emergency responders to tell them to leave, if they do not feel safe, O'Dell remarked. When returning home or traveling through the area, motorists are asked to slow their speeds and be alert to hazards and firefighting activity. There are several wildfires and evacuations throughout Central and Southern Douglas County. Residents are encouraged to visit the interactive evacuation map at www.dcso.com/evacuations.