7/4/2015 Corner Creek/Sugarloaf AM Fire Update

Corner Creek Fire/Sugarloaf Fire

July 4, 2015 10:00 a.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - CENTRAL OREGON NEWS MEDIA

Oregon Department of Forestry

Incident Management Team 1

John Buckman, Incident Commander

Fire Information: (541) 987-2348 or cornercreekfireinfo@gmail.com

 

Firefighters continue the hard work and dedication to contain the Corner Creek Fire, burning 11 miles south of Dayville. The fire is estimated at 22,000 acres in size and five percent contained. The fire continues to burn actively on the west side of the South Fork John Day River, and conditions remain extremely challenging. Hot and dry weather conditions, with wind gusts up to 20 mph, are causing the fire to run, spot, and torch into timber and rangeland. "We’re in a tough fight," says Operations Chief, John Flannigan. "We have knocked the fire down a couple of times, but it continues to get back up. We hope to deliver the final blow soon."

Firefighters are working to stop fire progression to the south, hold and continue mop up on the east, and begin burn out and hold the west. Private land allotments to the south and west of the fire are threatened. The team is preparing for future expected growth and is working hard to protect structures near the fire.

Ochoco National Forest roads are closed on the north, from the forest boundary at the North Fork of Birch Creek, south along the 5820 Road to the Ochoco Forest boundary at the Rager Airstrip. All roads, trails, and forest lands east of the Ochoco Forest boundary are also closed. Travel on the South Fork John Day Road (County Rd 42) is limited to residents and fire personnel only.

The Sugarloaf Fire is now 90 percent contained with a total size of 4,470 acres. Mop up and hazardous tree felling continue on the northeast edge of the fire. The majority of the Sugarloaf Fire and all of the Blue Basin Fire are being patrolled, with emphasis on the areas around the structures. A total of 941 resources are assigned to the Sugarloaf and Corner Creek Fires.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 8:00 p.m. today due to temperatures near 100 degrees and very low humidity. The hot weather conditions are expected to continue through the weekend. Please use caution with fireworks and campfires over the 4^th of July weekend. Be sure to check regulated closures at www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/fire/precautionlevelmap.aspx to avoid additional wildfire threats.

Information about the Sugarloaf/Corner Creek Fire and road closures is posted online at www.centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com