Wildfire SE of Oakridge still putting up smoke

A late-season wildfire in the woods southeast of Oakridge that authorities say was sparked by a burning car continued to put up smoke Monday, having grown to about 35 acres.

The Bald Butte Fire, which broke out Saturday about four miles southeast of Oakridge, grew by about 10 acres on Sunday on the slopes above Hills Creek Reservoir, according to Willamette National Forest Public Affairs Officer Jude McHugh.

Crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the forest’s Middle Fork Ranger District responded to contain the fire before it reached adjacent privately owned land Sunday and continued to share resources and fight the fire Monday, McHugh said..

Because of the steep and dangerous slopes, crews will be conducting burnout operations, rather than fighting the fire more directly, she said. Crews will light the backfires when wind, temperature, humidity and all other conditions are right.

“Oakridge and other local residents may see the smoke from the fire over the next few days.” said Middle Fork Ranger Deputy District Ranger Darren Cross. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we work this fire safely. It is still very dry out there and we encourage everyone to be fire-safe.”

For more information on home and property safety, see http://www.firewise.org/ .

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