(Update: new acreage, headcount, Sunday night efforts)
Cascade Lakes Road, Hwy. 58 shortened closure; ready infrastructure at Lava Lake Resort
OAKRIDGE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Critical fire weather eased for more than 1,200 firefighters battling the Cedar Creek Fire Sunday, after warm, dry winds blew it to nearly 87,000 acres. Changing winds and cooler temperatures allowed evacuation levels to be reduced in some areas after a tough weekend that saw the 6-week fire containment return to zero.
A total of 1,229 firefighters from 29 states have been called to help battle the fast-growing blaze, which as of Sunday night had burned 86,724 hectares.
“The weather is on their side as it is currently 72 degrees and a light rain just moved through Oakridge,” said Sunday night’s Facebook update. “Safety is a priority, however, as night operations can be difficult and dangerous work.”
Here’s Sunday morning’s update:
Cedar Creek Fire September 11, 2022
Daily Update – 7:00 AM
Cedar Creek Fire Fast Facts
Size: 85,926 acres Content: 0% Start Date: August 1, 2022 Location: 15 miles east of Oakridge, OR Cause: Lightning Total Personnel: 994 Resources: 53 Engines, 19 Crew, 62 Heavy Equipment, 8 helicopters Current situation: One evacuation level in place 3 the greater area of Oakridge, Westfir and High Prairie. There have been no changes in evacuation levels or zones in the last day. The fire grew significantly due to the weekend weather event (more than 32,000 acres), mainly in the west, driven by strong easterly winds and dry fuels. Because the fire broke existing lines, fire containment has been reduced to 0%.
Currently, 2,230 homes and 443 commercial structures remain under threat from the Cedar Creek Fire. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office has committed seven task forces and an incident management team to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure in the area. Due to strong easterly winds and triple digit temperatures, this work has focused primarily on the west side of the fire. As conditions change and winds shift, firefighters from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office will continue to assess threats to life and property. Firefighters will continue to work day and night shifts to access structures and patrol critical areas where the fire is encroaching.
Status: As winds began to shift to the east yesterday evening, west flank firefighters completed strategic burn operations near Eagle Butte, 5 miles northeast of Oakridge. The fire was contained north of Highway 58, south of Forest Highway 19 and east of Eagle Butte. Today, resources will maintain a heavy presence in the Highway 58 and Forest Highway 19 corridors as they continue the direct attack on the fire. Crews on the western flanks will clear and secure depletion operations.
In the eastern area, direct control actions continued on the southeast edge of the fire in the Waldo Lake area. Efforts are focused on creating firebreaks along existing roads and other barriers and burning operations to reduce fuels. Heavy equipment arrives on site for use near Cultus Lake and Little Cultus Lake, and along the Cascade Lakes Road and logging roads. Cascade Lakes Road remains closed to protect the public and firefighters while crews clear brush.
Crews are preparing Forest Highway 4290 between Charlton Lakes and Cascade Lakes Highway to control the fire’s southeastward spread. Brush along the Cascade Lakes Highway continues to create fuel breaks 100 to 200 feet deep on both sides of the road. Crews are working in the Brown Mountain area to reinforce a barrier east of the highway between Crane Prairie and Wickiup reservoirs. These fire breaks are a high priority and will likely take nearly a week to complete. Additionally, crews are preparing infrastructure around Lava Lake Resort and assessing values around Odell Lake.
Weather/Fire Behavior: The extreme weather of the last two days has subsided. The winds change direction to the northwest and have calmed down. It is still very dry, but temperatures are starting to cool and the heavy smoke layer has the effect of shading and moderating fire activity. Spots and fires are still expected, and the fire will continue to advance through lichen and heavy fuels.
Evacuations: Sign up for mobile emergency alerts by going to oralert.gov. Please check with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-693-6911 for updates and changes. Go see a map.
Closures: Deschutes National Forest and Willamette National Forest have implemented closures for the Cedar Creek Fire. Visit Willamette National Forest and Deschutes National Forest for detailed closure orders and a joint map. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). The use of drones is prohibited in the fire zone, please make it safe for our firefighters to use aircraft on the fire. Pacific Crest Trail hikers should visit pcta.org for current information.
Restrictions: There are fire restrictions on the Willamette National Forest and the Deschutes National Forest. Smoke: Smoke forecast outlooks are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook.
Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8307/ | https://www.facebook.com/CedarCreekFire2022/ |YouTube: https://www.tinyurl.com/cedarcreekfireyoutube
Fire Information: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 541-201-2335 | Email: 2022.cedarcreek@firenet.gov
Some areas near the Cedar Creek Fire were downgraded to a Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation warning; others remain at Level 3 (GO NOW)Lane Co. Sheriff’s Office. – 22/11/09 11:47
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office, in consultation with fire crews, may reduce the following areas to Level 2 (be set):
- Oakridge west of Salmon Creek, south of Laurel Butte Road and north of the Middle Fork Willamette River.
- The city of Westfir
The following areas remain under a Level 3 Evacuation Notice (GO NOW) and re-entry is not permitted at this time:
- High Prairie area, including all of High Prairie Road, Brock Road, Bar BL Ranch Road, Nubian Way, Mountain View Road and Huckleberry Lane
- Westfir-Oakridge Road from Westfir city limits to Roberts Road
- McFarland Road
- Oakridge north of Laurel Butte Road and Oakridge east of Salmon Creek
- Hills Creek Reservoir area south of Highway 58 and Greenwaters Park
An updated map of evacuation areas is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/CedarCreek.
While every effort is being made to protect the communities of Oakridge, Westfir and High Prairie, conditions may require a return to a Level 3 Evacuation Notice (GO NOW) in some or all of these areas and this can happen at any time. time
People with limited mobility, special needs or medically frail people are advised not to return to the Level 2 (Be Set) area. People without access to reliable transportation and those with large animals or pets that may be time-consuming or difficult to move are also advised not to return to the Level 2 (Be Set) area.
Interstate 58 will be closed from mile marker 37 east of town to mile marker 70 at Crescent Lake (later changed to Willamette Pass, mile marker 62).
Lane County Animal Services will continue to operate the Large Animal Evacuation Shelter at the Lane Event Center to provide a safe place to house animals from properties in Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (GO NOW).
ODOT advisory Sunday afternoon:
ODOT: Valley, no. Coast: The east side closure point for the Cedar Creek fire OR 58 Willamette Highway closure is now at Willamette Pass, mile marker 62. On the west side, the highway is open between Interstate 5 and Oakridge. Expect traffic on the west side as some evacuation levels have been lowered and people are returning.
For evacuation information, go to www.lanecounty.org/cedarcreek. Please note that conditions may change. Check TripCheck.com or call 5-1-1 for current road conditions.
Van Meter Fire Update: September 11th
Fire size: 2,502 acres Structures lost: 2 homes, 7 others Containment: 20% Resources assigned: 518 Fire information: 541-363-8140
Klamath Falls, Oregon – Today, firefighting operations on the Van Meter Fire will transition completely to cleanup with the completion of hoselines on the south side of the fire. Firefighters will use water to cool hot spots and wet combustibles. This will increase cleanup efficiency and support firefighting activities to expand the black and cold zone along the perimeter of the fire.
The fire remains within the existing footprint and is 2,502 acres.
Last night, crews used handheld infrared scopes to spot hot spots along the perimeter of the northeast side of the fire. Firefighters will pay special attention during the day to these areas, cooling down with water, exposing burning material and making sure spots are cool to the touch. Use of handheld infrared devices will continue tonight.
Rogue Valley and Deschutes County structural task forces returned to their home units Saturday. The Klamath County Structural Task Force is available if needed for structural protection and forestry resources will continue to monitor, patrol and clean up in residential areas.
A minor accident…