8/28/2018 Watson Creek Fire Update

Watson Creek Fire Update Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Crews working on the Watson Creek Fire connected fire lines yesterday around the entire perimeter of the fire and are strengthening the lines to achieve full containment as soon as possible.  There will be continued work in and around the fire holding the lines, mopping up and patrolling. Weather today in the fire area is predicted to be warmer and drier with light easterly winds.  Fire behavior along most of the perimeter will be creeping and smoldering.  Active fire behavior could occur in the interior areas of unburned fuels and the western flank of the fire could be affected by the easterly winds. Today the public is invited to tour the fire camp in Paisley any time between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. On Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. there will be tours of the Heli-base at the Paisley airport. In collaboration with Team 6 the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has reduced some evacuation levels. The Lakeview Estates neighborhood Level 3 evacuation is still in effect. The areas previously at a Level 2 evacuation have been lowered to a Level 1. The evacuation notice has been lifted for residents east of Highway 31. Closure Order Number 06-02-03-18-02-02 for the Fremont-Winema National Forest remains in effect. Hunters and other recreationists traveling in areas with high fire danger or closures from recent or ongoing wildfire are asked to use extreme caution and follow all fire restrictions while in the forest.

Fire at a Glance Size:  56,695 acres Containment:  65% Location: 6 miles southwest of Paisley, Oregon (Paisley Ranger District) Cause: Under Investigation Total Assigned Personnel: 1,006 Assigned Resources: 27 Crews          63 Engines Aircraft: 5 Type 1 helicopters 2 Type 2 helicopters 1 Type 3 helicopter Structures Threatened: 212 Residences       300 Other Closures: Fremont-Winema National Forest Roads & Recreation Sites https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/fremont-winema/alerts-notices FIRE INFORMATION: 541-943-3122 watsoncreekfire2018@gmail.com InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6153/ Facebook: SCOFMPFireInfo or R6FWNF Twitter: @scofmpfireinfo or @fremontwinemanf Radio Updates: KPAI  103.1 FM 9:30 a.m., 5:45 p.m. (online: Paisley School Radio)