The Wildfires We're Watching Closely, and Where to Avoid
Lightning wreaked havoc on Oregon this past week, resulting in more than a dozen new fires.
Rather than the handful of fiRes we typically watch in this column, last week's lightning strikes pushed Oregon’s count to over a dozen. At least five blazes ignited in the Central Cascades near the McKenzie and Willamette Passes, several near Southern Oregon’s Umpqua Valley, and one Portland's main water source.
Firefighting crews were aided by record rainfall this week and cooler temperatures, but the fires are still burning, and drier weather is forecast for the coming week. Here are the blazes we're watching:
Multnomah/Clackamas County
Camp Creek Fire
This fire near the Bull Run Reservoir (Portland's main water source) on Mount Hood’s western slope was caused by lightning on August 25. It's at over 1,800 acres and holding there in steep and exposed terrain.
Status: Zero percent contained. The fire continues to smolder and creep along the forest floor, causing pockets of flames.
The burning question: Is the reservoir water contaminated? Sampling found small amounts of fire retardant in the watershed during the initial stages of firefighting on August 25, but detection levels were very low and declined to normal as stream runoff diluted the water.
Where to Avoid: No evacuations are currently in effect, but water quality monitoring continues. Very few recreation opportunities exist in the Bull Run watershed.
The Camp Creek Fire burning in steep terrain above the Bull Run Reservoir.
Image: courtesy Great Basin Team 1
Sherman County
Cottonwood Fire
A 2,370-acre brush fire near Cottonwood Canyon State Park on theJohn Day River, about 15 miles southeast of the town of Wasco.
Status: Under control.
Where to Avoid: The park has reopened after a brief closure a few days ago. Crews estimate the blaze is 60 percent contained.
Lane County
Lookout Fire
This fire was sparked by lightning back on August 5, on Lookout Mountain above the McKenzie River, four miles north of the unincorporated town of McKenzie Bridge. Rain has tempered the fire, but downed trees, logs, and thick brush remain dry enough to carry fire.
Status: 20 percent contained, with authorities expecting little new fire activity.
Where to Avoid: While Highway 126 between Springfield and the Santiam Junction remains open, travelers should leave the area clear for firefighting efforts. Evacuation orders for some areas north of Highway 126 are downgraded to Level 2 “Be Ready," though some Level 3 “Go Now” orders remain in effect for areas closer to the fire.
Horse Creek Fire
This 763-acre fire is just south of the McKenzie River near the town of McKenzie Bridge and Belknap Springs.
Status: 10 percent contained. Rainy conditions have slowed its growth, but nearly 100 residences in the area remain threatened.
Where to Avoid: The fire has forced the closure of Highway 242 (Old McKenzie Highway) seven miles east of its junction with Highway 126.
Pete’s Lake Fire
Another 318 acres burning, also due to lightning, this time 25 miles northwest of Sunriver on the western side of the Cascades.
Status: Zero percent contained and burning in rugged, difficult-to-access wilderness that poses high safety risks to firefighters.
Where to Avoid: Portions of the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests are closed. Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders are in place west of the Cascade Lakes Highway from the Lucky Lake Trailhead north to the Mirror Lake Trail. Level 1 “Be Ready” notices are issued around Elk Lake and down to Little Lava Lake.
Bedrock Fire
The Bedrock Fire sparked on July 22 and now encompasses more than 35,000 acres east of Fall Creek Reservoir in Lane County.
Status: 80 percent contained (thanks, cool, moist weather!). Pockets of unburned fuel continue to smolder. Crews are now focused on repairing forest roads.
Where to Avoid: Only Level 1 “Be Ready” orders are in effect.
Douglas County
Dinner, Brice Creek, and Grizzly Fires
Three fires caused by lightning on August 24 are burning a total of 918 acres in the Umpqua National Forest approximately 15 miles southwest of Oakridge.
Status: More than 400 personnel are fighting these fires. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have helped.
Where to Avoid: Large swaths of the Umpqua National Forest have recreation closures in the areas near the fire to protect the public and wildland firefighters.
Chilcoot and Ridge Fires
Two more fires burning east of Glide and north of Highway 138 and the North Umpqua River.
Status: Portions of the Umpqua National Forest are closed. The Ridge Fire, at 236 acres, is 23 percent contained, while the 1,656-acre Chilcoot Fire is completely uncontained. Both are exhibiting mild fire behavior yet continue to threaten public infrastructure, private timberland, watersheds, and cultural resources.
Tyee Ridge Complex
More than 1,500 personnel are fighting 19 individual fires along a ridgeline west of Interstate 5 near Sutherlin and Roseburg, totaling about 6,700 acres.
Status: 8 percent contained, with help from rainfall and cooler weather.
Where to Avoid: Evacuation orders (Level 1 “Be Ready” and Level 2 “Be Set”) are in effect for areas straddling the Umpqua River near the unincorporated communities of Milwood and Tyee, 10 miles west of Sutherlin.
Oregon Coast
3 Buttes Fire
In the Siuslaw National Forest 12 miles northeast of Florence, the 3 Buttes Fire is burning 144 acres of timberland, after a lightning strike on August 26.
Status: Zero percent contained. Rainfall and humidity have tempered the fire’s activity.
Where to Avoid: No evacuation orders are currently in place.
Anvil Fire
The Anvil Fire is burning 135 acres of the Grassy Knobs Wilderness northeast of Port Orford on the south coast. Its cause remains undetermined.
Status: Zero percent contained, but drier weather could create unfavorable conditions.
Where to Avoid: Level 2 evacuation orders are in effect along Elk River Road, about 20 miles east of US 101.
