SWEET HOME, Ore. – Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters had to enlist boats Saturday, Aug. 29, to reach a wildfire burning on a roadless peninsula in Green Peter Lake northeast of here. The fire, which is estimated at about 15 acres, was reported about 5:30 p.m. yesterday. Multiple engines from ODF’s Sweet Home office responded. Upon reaching the lake they were quickly aided by private boaters who helped them ferry pumps, hoses and other equipment to the peninsula so they could engage on the fire. Boats from the Linn County Sheriff, Linn County Parks and Sweet Home Fire also assisted ODF firefighters in getting to and from the peninsula.
Two helicopters have been engaged since yesterday – one from a private industrial landowner and one on contract with the USDA Forest Service. The helicopters have been dropping water from the lake onto the fire. Just under 40 personnel are working on the fire today (Sunday, Aug. 30). In addition to ODF firefighters a hand crew from the Willamette National Forest, a USDA Forest Service Job Corps hand crew and a couple BLM resource advisors are helping with the fire.
The fire is burning in thickly forested, steep terrain on federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest Oregon District, Cascades Field Office.
No evacuations are anticipated but the Whitcomb Creek County Park and its boat ramp are closed to the public as it is being used as a staging area for firefighting operations. Boaters are asked to use the Thistle Creek boat ramp instead and to avoid the Quartzville Arm of the lake so as not to interfere with the helicopters as they refill from that part of the lake. Quartzville Drive, also known as the Quartzville Back County Byway, remains opens.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
# # #