9/18/2014 36 Pit Fire Information

Excellent progress continues to be made by firefighters to contain the 36 Pit Fire. The northwestern portion of the fire which is closest to any homes or structures is becoming more secure. The northwestern and northern flanks of the fire are nearly completely lined. Firefighters are mopping up and putting out hot spots adjacent to the firelines, making the lines more secure. Last night, crews continued to mop up hot spots and secure the area of the fire closest to the Silver Fox RV Park. Yesterday, residents of the RV Park were escorted by Estacada Fire District and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s IMT Blue Team personnel allowing residents to obtain necessities from their homes.

The fire is burning in extremely steep terrain presenting crews with hazards such as rolling debris. However, elite hot shot crews are building hand line at the fire’s southern perimeter from the ridge tops to the highway and Clackamas River. Today, crews also plan to build hand line directly adjacent to the southern perimeter of the fire located south of Highway 224. In addition, contingency containment lines are being “prepped” along roads located near the southern perimeter of the fire. “Prepping” of these roads consists of removing smaller understory trees and brush resulting in the roads becoming more defensible should the fire approach these roads.

Fire managers are evaluating whether the South Fork of the Clackamas River would serve as a good barrier to the fire. However, contingency plans are being developed to contain the fire should the fire move west of the South Fork. The fire has not moved appreciably in any direction since its initial spread last Sunday and Monday.

Due to the decreased threat to structures, the Oregon Fire Marshal Blue Team will be demobilizing at end of today’s shift. The Unified Command Team has been greatly appreciative of the team’s contribution to the suppression of this fire.

Weather conditions continue to assist firefighters in their efforts to suppress the fire. Cooler temperatures, light winds, and high humidity including some measureable rain are predicted through tomorrow. Fire managers intend to take advantage of the favorable weather to suppress the fire before the expected warm and dry weather on Saturday.

Local resource advisors have also been an integral component of the fire suppression team. Resource Advisors collaborate with fire managers to fight fire aggressively while protecting resources such as fisheries, cultural resources and wilderness values. If the fire moves into a congressionally designated wilderness area, minimum impact suppression tactics (MIST) will be implemented.

The public is urged to be aware of increased fire related traffic on local roads and to drive defensively. For information related to evacuations, please go to: http://www.clackamas.us or call 503-655-8224. Information related to smoke can be found at: www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com For more information, please use the contact information listed above.