Withers Fire Labeled Arson

The Withers Fire - the nearly 3.500- acre blaze burning in Southern Oregon - was intentionally set, say officials who label the probe a criminal investigation.

The fire, which broke out last Wednesday afternoon near the town of Paisley along Highway 31, is now 85 percent contained, according to an update Monday morning from the Oregon Department of Forestry.

It led to an evacuation notice for Paisely, which was finally lifted Friday afternoon.

Oregon State Police are asking anyone with information about the arsonist to please call 541-947-2504.

Meanwhile the state police have told KTVZ in Bend that 14 fires in recent weeks are also being investigated as arson.

"At this point, we do believe that it is arson, just due to the nature of the fires and the overall behavior of how they're started," the station quotes state police spokesman, Captain Bill Fugate.

The Withers fire is just one of several burning across the state.

There is the Cherry Road Fire, which is 14,500 acres and burning seven miles southest of Adrian. It is only five percent contained.

The 30,273-acre Rail Fire burining five miles west of Unity is 35 percent contained, and

The 191-acre Sheridan fire, which is burning 13 miles north of La Pine, is now 80 percent contained. Evacuation notices there have been lifted.

Photo Marty Dillavou/BLM