ODF staff continued supporting suppression efforts on many fires in central and eastern Oregon, providing ground and air support. Containment more than doubled on many of the fires. At least 7 are above 50% contained.
Watson Creek Fire – Lake County
This fire grew from 32,104 acres to 35,287 acres in the past 24 hours, and is burning in timber and brush. The fire includes at least 5,700 acres of ODF-protected land. Firefighters were able to take advantage of the cooler temperatures yesterday and higher relative humidity recoveries overnight to make progress on the fire. Some growth occurred on the southeastern edge. A community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight (August 22) at the Paisley Community Center.
Location: 13 miles west of Paisley
Ignition Date: August 15, 2018
Ignition Date: August 15, 2018
Cause: Under investigation
Acres burned: 35,287
Personnel: 686
Containment: 10%
More information:
Jennie’s Peak and Stubblefield (includes Seale and Lonerock) Fires – Gilliam and Wheeler counties
Firefighters made excellent progress on each of these fires, managed under unified command of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team and Northwest Team 7.
Please note that the Stubblefield and Seals fires grew together and in the future will be reported as the Stubblefield Fire.
Jennie’s Peak Fire: 38,000 acres, 40% contained
Stubblefield Fire: 23,150 acres, 50% contained
Seale Fire: 23,600 acres, 40% contained
Lonerock Fire: 5,056 acres, 40% contained
Location: West, southwest and southeast of Condon
Ignition Date: August 17, 2018
Ignition Date: August 17, 2018
Cause: Unknown
Personnel:
509
Stubblefield Fire Info: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6162/
Jennie’s Peak Fire Info: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6163/
Miles and Columbus fires
(formerly the South Umpqua Complex/Sugar Pine Fires, also includes Show Shoe and Round Top)
With components of ODF Team 3 (Incident Commander Link Smith) demobilizing, this fire is under command of Pacific Northwest Team 2 (Incident Commander Chris Schulte).
Miles Fire – 35,455 acres, 39% contained
Columbus Fire – 10,518 acres, 35% contained
Firefighters successfully completed burn operations along the 6640 Road as patrol and mop-up operations continued on the southern and western sides of the fire. The 2015 Whiskey and 2017 Broken Lookout burn scars have slowed Columbus Fire progression.
Location: Approximately 5 miles northeast of Trail
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Combined total of 49,943
Personnel: 1,123
More information:
Other fires
Taylor Creek and Klondike East
A smoke inversion subdued fire behavior on Tuesday. The lower temperatures, combined with lighter winds, helped firefighters hold key control lines on the south end of the Klondike Fire East along Babyfoot Road. That control line is now connected to the burn scar of the 2017 Chetco Bar Fire, which serves as a natural control line due to the lack of available fuels. Firefighters are working diligently to widen the southern control line with tactical firing operations using drones and hand ignitions. The goal is to prevent the fire from crossing the road and spreading south where it could threaten the community of Cave Junction and the Hwy 199 corridor.
Location: 10 miles west of Grants Pass
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 52,588 acres
Personnel: 421
Containment: 95%
More information:
Klondike Fire West
Improving weather conditions allowed firefighters to begin building fire line north in the direction of Silver Creek yesterday. Previously skies had been clear – which allowed helicopters to fly and drop water on the fire – but it also made the fire burn more aggressively. There was a 167-acre spot fire in the Silver Creek drainage Monday.
Location: 9 miles northwest of Selma
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 76,098 acres
Personnel: 1,280
Containment: 33%
More information:
Terwilliger Fire – Willamette National Forest
The Terwilliger fire is burning on both the west and east side of Cougar Reservoir. Yesterday, crews continued to hold the fire south of Boone Creek. Heavy equipment will continue to open existing roads and fire managers will scout out areas with the most probability of success to hold the fire on the northeast side of the fire. Southwest Area IMT #3 took command of the fire at 6 a.m. today, more than doubling the current personnel on the fire.
Location: 5 miles southeast of Blue River
Cause: Under investigation
Cause: Under investigation
Acres burned: 150
Personnel: 195
Containment: 1%
Containment: 1%
More information:
Kinzua Complex
Containment increased dramatically on this fire, growing from 0% to 75% in about a day. This complex includes five fires at approx. 619 acres and is burning in grass, timber, and juniper.
Location: 10 miles around Fossil
Ignition date: August 17, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 619
Personnel: 83
Containment: 75%
More information: