August 5 Willamette National Forest FIRE UPDATE
Westfir, OR 5:45 pm - Only one new fire was reported on the Willamette National Forest today. An abandoned campfire was found in the McKenzie River Ranger District and extinguished by an engine on patrol. The human-caused start is a reminder that fire restrictions are in place on the forest as of today.
• All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other fires will be prohibited, except in designated campgrounds.
• Portable cooking stoves, lanterns and heaters using liquefied or bottled fuel are still allowed if they can be switched on and off.
• Motorized vehicles may operate only on designated trails and roads, including within the Huckleberry Flats and Santiam Pass OHV areas.
Of the two small fires in the Three Sisters Wilderness area, one (#204) was declared out today and the smokejumpers staffing it began hiking out. The second fire, the Le Conte Fire, has been fully lined but jumpers will remain there to patrol until they are comfortable leaving.
Breezy conditions caused the Cedar Creek Fire to get more active with increased fire behavior. A Type 1 helicopter was employed much of today using water drops to hold the perimeter. Retardant was not used. The Potter Fire remained about the same today at 149 acres with all divisions focusing on improving line and clearing roads. This fire is 0% contained.
There is a closure on the Willamette and Umpqua National Forests due to the Potter Fire. Click here for the closure order and the map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
A multi-forest closure order is also now in place to protect firefighter and public safety during suppression efforts associated with the Windigo and Potter Fires. This closure includes portions of the Umpqua, Deschutes, Willamette and Fremont-Winema National Forests. For details go here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/notices/?cid=FSEPRD1047284&fbclid=IwAR0ODY2vuNOpbbEBcsxunRmqrLVDD5h8xltq5wj8r9fxjS-uqmhyhA5LUWo
Light winds out of the east are forecast for tomorrow morning which could mean some smoke in Oakridge but they are expected to switch to out of the northwest later in the day. A local Air Quality Advisor will be arriving tomorrow to assist the Willamette National Forest with smoke issues. For information about smoke, smoke forecasts and your health, the Oregon Smoke Blog is a good place to look: https://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
Comments
Post a Comment