Site search
sponsored by
Home
News
Fire officials say luck and fire lines are continuing to hold as another day of good weather limits wildfire growth and opens roads in the Umpqua National Forest.
After 42 days of wildfire, both the Apple Fire and Tiller Complex fire commands are working on a common goal of keeping the two fires apart as they hope to pinch off the south-moving Apple Fire near Twin Lakes.
"At some point, there is a fear that the two fires could link up," said Bob Miller, spokesman for the Tiller Complex. "We aren't going to let that happen."
Lower fire activity has allowed the Oregon Department of Transportation and fire officials to fully open Highway 138 East. Free movement of traffic began Thursday night, although the speed limit has been reduced from 55 mph to 35 mph in fire areas due to fire traffic and occasional poor visibility. There is no stopping or parking allowed between Steamboat and Dry Creek.
Drivers are encouraged to use headlights to make their cars more visible to others.
The Apple Fire has grown to 7,400 acres and the Tiller Complex is now at 62,100 acres. "We haven't had any serious fire runs," Miller said. "There is lots of fire within the perimeter and heat sources. Those are less of a concern than fire on the perimeter that could spread. Fires will continue to burn in the interior for some time."
Howard Carlson, incident commander for the Apple Fire, echoed Miller, saying fire spread has been pinned down with little growth, but keeping the 833 firefighters under his command safe during day and night shifts is a challenge.
"Two things are killing us, terrain and a large volume of snags," Carlson said of the standing dead trees that topple during fires. "There are a lot of them -- more than your average wildland fire. You can hear them falling all over the place."
Apple Fire officials said a strong western fire line is being built along Forest Service Road Service Road 4714 along Panther Ridge with five miles of fire line constructed. On the Tiller Complex, efforts are being concentrated in the northwest and northeast of the Boulder Fire where some fire growth has continued.
"We are trying to hold the Apple Fire somewhere near Twin Lakes using existing roads and trails we're building," Carlson said. "We're having pretty good success, but we still have a little concern about the changing weather."
-- You can reach reporter Jeff Willis at 957-4218 or by e-mail at jwillis@newsreview.info.
After 42 days of wildfire, both the Apple Fire and Tiller Complex fire commands are working on a common goal of keeping the two fires apart as they hope to pinch off the south-moving Apple Fire near Twin Lakes.
"At some point, there is a fear that the two fires could link up," said Bob Miller, spokesman for the Tiller Complex. "We aren't going to let that happen."
Lower fire activity has allowed the Oregon Department of Transportation and fire officials to fully open Highway 138 East. Free movement of traffic began Thursday night, although the speed limit has been reduced from 55 mph to 35 mph in fire areas due to fire traffic and occasional poor visibility. There is no stopping or parking allowed between Steamboat and Dry Creek.
Drivers are encouraged to use headlights to make their cars more visible to others.
The Apple Fire has grown to 7,400 acres and the Tiller Complex is now at 62,100 acres. "We haven't had any serious fire runs," Miller said. "There is lots of fire within the perimeter and heat sources. Those are less of a concern than fire on the perimeter that could spread. Fires will continue to burn in the interior for some time."
Howard Carlson, incident commander for the Apple Fire, echoed Miller, saying fire spread has been pinned down with little growth, but keeping the 833 firefighters under his command safe during day and night shifts is a challenge.
"Two things are killing us, terrain and a large volume of snags," Carlson said of the standing dead trees that topple during fires. "There are a lot of them -- more than your average wildland fire. You can hear them falling all over the place."
Apple Fire officials said a strong western fire line is being built along Forest Service Road Service Road 4714 along Panther Ridge with five miles of fire line constructed. On the Tiller Complex, efforts are being concentrated in the northwest and northeast of the Boulder Fire where some fire growth has continued.
"We are trying to hold the Apple Fire somewhere near Twin Lakes using existing roads and trails we're building," Carlson said. "We're having pretty good success, but we still have a little concern about the changing weather."
-- You can reach reporter Jeff Willis at 957-4218 or by e-mail at jwillis@newsreview.info.
