Cascade Lakes Highway, Hwy. 58 closing shortened. infrastructure was prepared at Lava Lake Resort
OAKRIDGE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Critical fire weather eased for more than 1,200 firefighters battling the Cedar Creek Fire Sunday after hot, dry winds blew it across nearly 87,000 acres. Wind shifting and cooler temperatures have allowed for reduced evacuation levels in some areas after a difficult weekend that saw the 6-week-old fire’s containment lifted.
A total of 1,229 firefighters from 29 states have been called to help fight the fast-growing blaze, which as of Sunday evening had burned 86,724 acres.
“The weather is on their side as it is currently 72 degrees and a light drizzle just came through Oakridge,” said the Facebook update Sunday evening. “But safety is a top priority as night operations can be challenging and dangerous.”
Here’s Sunday morning’s update:
Cedar Creek Fire September 11, 2022
Daily Update – 7:00am
Fast facts about the Cedar Creek Fire
Size: 85,926 acres Contained: 0%Start date: August 1, 2022Location: 15 miles east of Oakridge, ORCause: LightningTotal personnel: 994 Resources: 53 engines, 19 crews, 62 helicopter heavy equipment, 8 helicopters 3 helicopter slots remain in the greater area Oakridge, Westfir and High Prairie. There have been no changes in evacuation levels or areas over the past day. The fire grew significantly due to weekend weather (over 32,000 acres), mainly in the west, caused by strong easterly winds and dry fuels. Because the fire breached existing lines, fire containment has dropped to 0%.
Currently, 2,230 homes and 443 commercial structures are threatened by the Cedar Creek Fire. The Oregon 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, these operations were mainly focused on the west side of the fire. As conditions change and winds shift, firefighters with the Oregon State Marshal’s Office will continue to assess threats to life and property. Fire crews will continue to work day and night to access structures and patrol critical areas where the fire is taking hold.
Status: Yesterday afternoon, as winds began to shift to the east, firefighters on the west side completed strategic burn operations near Eagle Butte, 5 miles northeast of Oakridge. The fire remained north of Highway 58, south of Forest Road 19 and east of Eagle Butte. Today, resources will maintain a heavy presence along the Highway 58 and Forest Road 19 corridors as they continue the immediate attack on the fire. Crews on the western flanks will clear and provide burnout operations.
In the eastern zone, direct control efforts continued on the southeastern 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 is arriving at the facility for use near Cultus Lake and Little Cultus Lake, as well as along the Cascade Lakes Highway and forest roads. Cascade Lakes Highway remains closed for the protection of the public and firefighters as crews remove the brush.
Crews are preparing Forest Road 4290 between Charlton Lakes and Cascade Lakes Highway to control the fire’s spread to the southeast. Brush along Cascade Lakes Highway continues to create fuel breaks 100-200 feet deep on both sides of the road. Crews are working in the Brown Mountain area to reinforce a dam east of the highway between Crane Prairie and Wickiup reservoirs. These fire breaks are high priority and will likely take most of the week to complete. Additionally, crews are preparing infrastructure around Lava Lake Resort and assessing rates around Lake Odell.
Weather/Fire Behavior: The extreme weather of the past two days has subsided. Winds shift to northwesterly directions and have calmed. It is still very dry, but temperatures are starting to drop and the heavy smoke layer is shading and dampening fire activity. Locating and burning is expected even as the fire continues to progress through lichen and heavy fuels.
Evacuations: Sign up for emergency mobile alerts by going to oralert.gov Contact 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 to see a map.
Closure: The 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 shared map. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). Drones are not allowed in the fire area, 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 A.M. – 8:00 p.m. | Phone: 541-201-2335 | Email: [email protected]
Some areas near the Cedar Creek Fire were downgraded to a Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation Alert. others remain at Level 3 (GO NOW)Lane Co. Sheriff’s Office – 09/11/22 11:47 AM
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office, in consultation with firefighting teams, is able to 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 Alert (GO NOW) and re-entry is not allowed 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 the Westfir city limits to Roberts Street McFarland Street 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, it is possible that conditions will require a return to a Level 3 Evacuation Notice (GO NOW) in some or all of these areas and this may occur in any time.
People who have mobility limitations, special needs or who are medically frail are encouraged 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 encouraged not to return to the Level 2 (Be Set) area.
Highway 58 will remain closed from milepost 37 on the east side of town to milepost 70 at Lake Crescent (later changed to Willamette Pass, milepost 62).
Lane County Animal Services will continue to operate the large animal evacuation shelter at the Lane Events Center to provide a safe place to house animals from properties in Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (GO NOW) areas.
ODOT Advisory Sunday afternoon:
ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: The eastbound closure point for the OR 58 Willamette Highway Cedar Creek Fire closure is now at Willamette Pass, milepost 62. On the westbound side the road is open between Interstate 5 and Oakridge. Traffic is expected on the west side as some evacuation levels have eased 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% Assigned Resources: 518 Fire Information: 541-363-8140
Klamath Falls, Ore. – Today, firefighting operations on the Van Meter Fire will transition to full cleanup with the completion of hoselays on the southern portion of the fire. Firefighters will use water to cool hot spots and liquid fuels. This will increase cleanup effectiveness and support firefighting activities to expand the black, cold area along the perimeter of the fire.
The fire remains within the existing footprint and is 2,502 acres.
Last night crews used infrared viewers to locate hot spots along the perimeter on the northeast side of the fire. Firefighters will pay close attention throughout the day to these areas, cooling with water, exposing burning material and ensuring areas are cool to the touch. The use of portable infrared devices will continue tonight.
Construction crews from the Rogue Valley and Deschutes County returned to their units Saturday. The Klamath County Structural Task Force is available if needed for structural protection and wilderness resources will continue to monitor, patrol and clear residential areas.
A minor accident occurred at the fire department…
