SW Oregon wildfire cost nears $1.5 million

With containment on southwest Oregon’s Lobster Creek Fire reaching 55 percent and the fire perimeter stable at 397 acres, fire managers said Friday they are planning to transition control of the fire back to the Coos Forest Protective Association. ODF IMT 3 plans to transfer command of the fire back to CFPA Sunday.

Fire crews remain focused on mopping up the fire’s perimeter, Oregon Department of Forestry officials said in Friday’s update. Mop up is slow, dirty and hazardous work that involves methodically digging out residual heat which often lurks in stumps and roots. Modern technology aids the hunt for hot spots. Night-shift crews use hand-held infrared scanners to find and identify residual heat sources.

Fallers have been identifying and knocking down fire-weakened trees that could pose a hazard to firefighters working below. Removing hazard trees near the perimeter also eliminates the potential of those falling trees spreading fire across containment lines.

Fire managers have begun releasing fire resources, making them available for new fast-growing fires in the region. From a peak of over 700 firefighters, fire managers have slimmed the ranks to 275 personnel assigned to the fire, including 10 hand crews.

To date, firefighters on the Lobster Creek Fire have maintained an excellent safety record. Despite working almost 26,000 hours in steep, rocky terrain, no significant injuries have been reported.

Through July 5th, total suppression costs for the Lobster Creek Fire have reached $1,483,000.

More information:

https://www.facebook.com/Lobster-Creek-Fire-2021776444706700/

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5886/