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SUNNY Temp: 88 °F Wind: WNW at 11 mph Monday, August 19, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend August 4, 2002 Elk Creek gets reprieve State forestry officials lift evacuation notices for those near the Timbered Rock fire By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune After evacuating their Elk Creek Road property last week, the Wedbergs and their 11 sheep are moving back home. Although the fire still burns behind their house and the air is filled with smoke, Carolyn Wedberg is glad to be home. "It’s great," she said. The Oregon Department of Forestry lifted the evacuation notice for Elk Creek Road residents Saturday after issuing it seven days before because of the threat of the Timbered Rock fire. Cooperative weather and firefighters’ efforts, including 478,000 gallons of water dumped on the fire Friday, are helping to get the blaze under control, officials say. Friday was the first night in a week that Lee and Carolyn Wedberg spent back on their 35 acres. Carolyn said they plan to move the sheep home today. The Wedbergs turned the evacuation into a vacation, she said. They rented a cabin at the Obstinate J Ranch, and took their sheep with them. "(The owner) Pat Brooks let us do that; she was wonderful," said Carolyn. It took a little effort to relocate their sheep, she said. "We just have a pick-up with a top," she said, adding that she could just take a couple sheep at a time. "I made three trips to make it down there." Once they were there, there was nothing to do but relax. "My husband fished and we whiled away the hours while firefighters fought the fire," she said. Mike Barsotti, ODF public information officer, said Elk Creek Road residents are no longer in jeopardy. "We feel that they can stay in their houses and their life isn’t threatened," he said. While residents aren’t out of the woods, Barsotti said there’s enough control of the fire to give time to warn people should conditions change and evacuations be recommended again. While many residents chose to stay to protect their homes, some left because of the thick smoke, or at least moved their animals. Some just moved their belongings. "We’re in the process of moving all our furniture back," said Paula Joham. Paula and Bruce Joham have spent the past several nights sleeping in a camper on their property because they had removed everything, including their beds and bedding, said Paula. When the evacuation notice was issued, Paula was surprised when half a dozen friends showed up to help. "Here they came with their trucks and dollies," she said. "There were so many people helping, pulling things out of cupboards." They emptied the house in four or five hours, she said. Although she’s glad to be getting her things back, it’s been exhausting. "I’m just real tired, but it feels real good," she said. Bruce said while he’s glad to be moving his things home, it’s still early August, which is too soon to say that the fire danger is over. "I don’t know if it’s ending or not," said Bruce. "We haven’t even begun fire season." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S