Wind rekindles slash burns in northern Cascade foothills

At least nine slash burns on private land in the north Cascade foothills reignited over the weekend as windy conditions picked up, according to Oregon Department of Forestry officials in the North Cascade District.

Seven of the fires are located in Clackamas County and one each in Marion and Linn counties. Smoke from the fires can be seen east of Molalla and areas south. Lyons is the community closest to the fires. The fires range in size from two to just over 100 acres.

Landowners have been engaging the fires since early Monday morning. Since early Monday afternoon, ODF has had an aerial observer in a fixed-wing aircraft helping pinpoint and report on the fires.

As of late afternoon, only one fire, in Marion County near Lyons, had crossed property lines. ODF said it is actively engaged with the landowners fighting that fire, with fire engines and personnel.

ODF personnel and engines along with a hand crew from Coffee Creek Correctional Institute are also assisting on fires in Clackamas County.

On some fires, ODF staff are advising and monitoring the landowner’s suppression efforts and are ready to call in support when requested or if conditions threaten spread beyond the property owner’s land.