Correction appended

Crews continued working Monday to extinguish four wildfires that all began in the last week in eastern and southern Oregon.

The fires have threatened a small number of homes near Meacham. Residents remain on notice to be prepared for evacuation.

A wildfire near Unity in Baker County has moved away from the town of less than 100 people or any private land, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Matt Burks said Monday.

Called the Rail fire, it grew overnight from 500 acres to about 700 and is now about 10 miles southwest of Unity. Four campgrounds nearby have been closed as four fire engines, two hand crews and a bulldozer work the scene. Firefighters will also receive air support, Burks said.

An 15-acre fire also started near Unity on Sunday about 11 miles northwest of town. Five fire engines, two hand crews and a bulldozer are working fire, according to an online update.

Meanwhile, a fire near Meacham and east of Pendleton that closed down Interstate 84 for several hours Sunday remains around 500 acres, said Jamie Knight of the Oregon Department of Forestry. Crews have contained about 35 percent of the fire, she said.

The fire began Saturday not far from motorists on the interstate. While the freeway reopened, travelers will notice the smoke from the blaze and should use caution in the area, Knight said.

Homes near Deadman Pass near Meacham were evacuated Saturday, but people were allowed to return to their homes Sunday, though fire managers said they should still be prepared to leave again if the fire becomes worse.

Crews are also monitoring the fire's proximity to more than 20 homes in the Meacham area. Nearby residents have been asked to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice, she said.

In Crater Lake National Park, the Bybee Creek fire has forced the closure of the Pacific Crest Trail from Dutton Creek Camp to the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot on North Entrance Road, according to a news release. The fire, now 425 acres, is burning about 2 miles west of the lake after igniting Thursday.

The national park remains open and firefighting activities shouldn't affect visitors to other areas, but people will see the smoke. Crews will work to keep the fire east of the Pacific Crest Trail, south of the Lightning Springs Trail and west of Crater Lake Rim Drive.

As of Monday morning, 280 firefighters with six fire engines and five water tenders continued their work at the park along with support from five helicopters and two fixed-wing air tankers. The cause of the fire is unknown.

-- Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports

This post was updated to correct the spelling of Meacham and Jamie Knight.