Gov. Kate Brown paved the way Sunday for officials to bring in more resources by declaring the Chetco Bar Fire in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest near Brookings a conflagration.

The declaration allows the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to fight the blaze which was sparked by lightning on July 12 and now covers 31,000 acres.

Fire officials have ordered 300 households to leave their residences. Those under a level 3 or top evacuation notice live from Gardner Ridge Road to the Wilson Creek area and along the Chetco River from Gardner Ridge Road to the Wilderness Retreat area.

Another 1,000 households have been put on a level 2 notice, just a step before evacuation. Those homes are situated on Tide Rock to Cameron Bridge and from Shady to Mt. Emily road.

Strong overnight winds pushed the fire south to Little Redwood Campground and Panda Ridge. At the same time, firefighters managed to conduct burnout operations and protect structures in the Wilderness Retreat area. Arriving crews will focus on protecting homes.

Fire crews have called a community meeting on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Brookings at Azalea Middle School, 505 Pacific Ave.

-- Lynne Terry

lterry@oregonian.com

@LynnePDX