9/25/2017 High Cascades East Zone Update

Summary: Fire officials report the High Cascades Complex East Zone at 40% contained. Improving weather conditions and lack of fire growth is allowing firefighters to focus their efforts on suppression repair. Excavators and other heavy equipment will be shifted between fires to reflect operational needs over the next several days. Please be cognizant of heavy equipment traveling the roads in fire areas. As of Monday morning, approximately 32% of the total suppression repair work is complete.

Excavators assisted crews on the North Pelican Fire (repair work 17% complete) repair bulldozer line. Handcrews completed culvert repairs on NF Road 350 and grading occurred on NF Road 3519. On the Blanket Creek Fire (repair work is 21% complete), chipping continued on the east flank of the burned area. Crews scouted and began repairing handline in backcountry areas of Crater Lake National Park. Crews on the Spruce Lake Fire (repair work is 52% complete) completed rehab from the forest-park boundary to the Pacific Crest Trail. Crews are making good progress at Spruce Lake, but are encountering snow as they move into higher elevations in the wilderness and national park.
 
Closures: Weather conditions and anticipated fire behavior allowed the Fremont-Winema National Forest to modify its fire closure areas on both the Blanket Creek and North Pelican Fires. These alterations may impact backcountry recreationalists, hunters, and OHV users. Know before you go! Check trail, road, and area closures and conditions on InciWeb, park and forest websites. West Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park remains closed for scheduled maintenance and repaving through Friday afternoon at 4 pm.
 
Hunting: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife does not close hunting seasons due to fire danger. However, fire closures still remain on public lands within some hunting units. Hunters are urged to check closures before heading out.
 
Weather: A weak disturbance is expected to move through the region on Monday. High level clouds may reduce temperatures a few degrees, but a warming and drying trend is expected through Thursday.