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More than a dozen Douglas County fires in Tyee Ridge Complex have grown to about 2,900 acres, 5% containment

Cougar Creek Fire, one of 19 lightning-sparked blazes in Tyee Ridge Complex
Douglas FPA
Cougar Creek Fire, one of 19 lightning-sparked blazes in Tyee Ridge Complex

(Update: Monday update)

SUTHERLIN, Ore. (KTVZ) – The two largest fires among 14 sparked by lightning in what's now being managed as the Tyee Ridge Complex merged over the weekend in northwest Douglas County as the blazes have grown to nearly 2,900 acres, with 5% containment, officials said Monday.

Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act Friday evening to allow mobilization of five structure-protection task forces, including one from Central Oregon, for the Tyee Ridge Complex, burning in rugged terrain about 10 miles west of Sutherlin in northwest Douglas County. It prompted evacuations of 125 people and is threatening more than 100 structures.

Here's Monday's report - more information, including maps and photos, can be found on the fire's Facebook page or its InciWeb page:

Acreage: 2,897

Containment: 5%

Progress Continues on Tyee Ridge Complex

Umpqua, OR – Overnight, crews made good progress building hand and dozer line on the Tyee Mountain, Hardscrabble, and Big Tom Fires. Strategic backfiring helped reinforce these lines and create additional safety zones for firefighters. Lines held successfully on the Yellow Point and Blue Hole Fires. On the Cougar Creek Fire, crews established a handline and hose lay from Hubbard Creek up to the bluffs. Efforts were aided by slightly cooler temperatures and higher relative humidities. With steep terrain, rolling material and falling snags continue to be a challenge and caused slopovers of fire across lines on the Hardscrabble and Cougar Creek fires.

More firefighters and equipment are arriving today from around the nation, including hotshot crews and heavy equipment. A total of seven Oregon State Fire Marshal taskforces continue to engage in structure protection. Day shift operations will continue to build on last night’s progress. This will include dozer line on Big Tom, Hardscrabble, and Cougar Creek. This will allow further strategic backfiring over the next few operational periods. Twelve helicopters are in use and will be dropping water on the fires when smoke conditions permit.

Weather is expected to be in the mid 70s today with areas of smoke. Where smoke is present, it will help moderate fire behavior. Winds will be 2 to 5 miles per hour from the NW. Relative humidities recovered well overnight but fuels still will burn actively during the day, especially where the smoke lifts.

All evacuation notices issued by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office remain unchanged.  The Red Cross shelter for evacuees at the Oakland Elementary School will be relocating today and the new location will be posted to the Tyee Ridge Complex and Douglas County Sheriff Facebook pages as soon as it is available. To shelter livestock, contact Douglas County Fairgrounds at 541-957-7010. Companion pets can be sheltered at Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center in Roseburg. To view the current evacuation information map, go to www.dcso.com/evacuations.

Community Meeting Scheduled: The Tyee Ridge Complex management teams will be holding a community meeting tonight, Monday, Aug. 28, at 7 pm.

Location: Roseburg Country Club, 5051 Garden Valley Road, Roseburg; and streamed on Facebook Live and YouTube.

Evacuations: Level 3 (Go Now!) from the 11000 block of Hubbard Creek Rd. to Millwood Dr. Level 2 (Be Set) from Hubbard Creek Rd. from the Millwood Dr. intersection to Melqua Rd. Level 1 (Be Ready) for Tyee Road at the intersection with Rock Creek Road to Fanchin Lane.

Closures: Hubbard Creek Road at Millwood Drive. Please avoid this area.

Article Topic Follows: Fire Alert

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