Gov. John Kitzhaber has declared the Scoggins Creek wildfire a fire emergency, directing fire and police crews from around the state to mobilize under the state's Emergency Conflagration Act, according to the state fire marshal's office.

The wildfire just two miles northwest of Hagg Lake and eight miles west of Forest Grove, has consumed more than 300 acres, with no containment reported as of Saturday morning.

"The Scoggins Creek Fire has grown quickly and already forced several families to evacuate to safety,'' Kitzhaber said. "We are reminded that fire season is still not over and the danger to life and property persists anywhere a spark and dry fuel exists, no matter what time of year.''

The governor's declaration authorizes the state fire marshal's office to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the blaze.

Firefighters and engine crews worked overnight to slow the spread of the blaze while structural firefighters are staged to protect homes.

The warm weather, with high temperatures in the 80s, could prove difficult, authorities said. Crews are continuing to try to aggressively fight the fire in an effort to protect homes and natural resources.

Residents of about 30 to 40 homes have been ordered to evacuate, and another 12 to 20 homes have been advised to be ready to leave on a moment's notice. An additional 20 to 30 homes have been given a Level 1 evacuation notice, meaning they've been told to take precautions and be ready in case of potential evacuation.

Hagg Lake Park is closed until further notice. Lee Road at West Shore, and Scoggins Valley Road at the park entrance are closed.

Oregon Department of Forestry's Incident Management Team 2 and the state fire marshal's office have taken command of the fire Saturday. Firefighters have reported seeing fire whirls - evidence of extreme fire behavior. The wildfire is burning on Oregon Department of Forestry's private forest lands in 10- to 15-year-old reprod timber.

The Gaston Rural Fire District, Washington County Fire District 2, Forest Grove Fire and Rescue, Washington County Sheriff's Department, Washington County Parks, the Red Cross, and the local Oregon Department of Forestry are among the agencies that have responded.

Colleague Ian K. Kullgren reported Friday night that the fire is believed to have started on property owned by Stimson Lumber Company, although officials haven't determined a cause, according to Oregon Department of Forestry spokeswoman Jen Warren said. He also spoke to some evacuees, including Patti Schofield grabbed legal documents, a few clothes and family pictures before dashing from her house.

"I never thought it would come like that," Schofield told Kullgren, gazing up Scoggins Valley Road toward her home.

--Maxine Bernstein