Extreme fire behavior pushes Crazy Creek Fire to over 35,000 acres ahead of new red flag warning, heat advisory

(Update: Friday fire report, adding video)

PAULINA, Ore. (KTVZ) --The Crazy Creek Fire 16 miles north of Paulina has grown to more than 35,000 acres in recent days amid more hot weather and extreme fire behavior, with more troubling conditions on the way, officials said Friday.

Watch Duty indicated that a perimeter sent from an infrared flight around 4:30 a.m. Friday to the National Interagency Fire Center showed the fire to be 42,462 acres.

Here's the fire officials' Friday report, in full:

Red flag warning and heat advisory issued; Active to extreme fire behavior expected

Daily Update August 2, 2024

Fire Information Phone:541-208-1768 (8am-8pm)

Media Information Phone:541-208-1770 (8am-8pm)

Email: 2024.crazycreek@firenet.gov

Acres:  Crazy Creek - 35,360; 498/Kitty Creek - 73 

Acreage changes may occur due to overnight operations and infrared mapping.

Location: Crazy Creek:16 miles north of Paulina, OR                     Start Date: July 22, 2024 

           498/Kitty Creek: 7 miles south of Mitchell, OR                     Personnel: 541 total for both fires

Containment: Crazy Creek 5%; 498/Kitty Creek 94%                    Fuels: Timber and short grass

Resources: 12 crews  | 27 engines  |  8 bulldozers |  12 water tenders  |  3 masticator  |  11 skid steer

Highlights: Thursday’s extreme heat and dry conditions resulted in heavy smoke and increased fire activity in areas within the Crazy Creek fire. A red flag warning and heat advisory are in effect today, Friday, August 2. 

Fire Activity: On Thursday, extreme fire behavior was observed along the east flank of the Crazy Creek, including crown fires, significant flame lengths and long-range spotting. Near triple-digit temperatures, 10% relative humidity and west/southwest winds pushed fire several miles to the east/northeast from the central part of the fire, resulting in an unburned pocket of timber southeast of Little Summit Prairie being consumed.

On the northern end of the Crazy Creek Fire, ground and air resources conducted firing operations and retardant drops to keep fire south of Forest Road 30. Firefighters along the northern perimeter also responded to and extinguished several spot fires. 

Today, ground and aerial resources on the northern end of the Crazy Creek fire will work in tandem to further secure containment lines. Firefighters will conduct firing operations as needed to hold the fire west of Forest Road 12 and 42. Firefighters on the western perimeter and southern perimeter near Roba Ranch will patrol and hold constructed lines, conducting mop-up where needed. 

Evacuations: Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for areas in Crook and Wheeler counties for areas in or near the fire. Level 3 evacuations have extended from the Forest Boundary to highway 380. Level 2 evacuations have extended south of highway 380.

Weather: A heat advisory and red flag warning are in effect today, Friday August 2, for the 498/Kitty Creek and Crazy Creek fires. Extremely warm and dry conditions will persist today with low humidity, temperatures in the 100s and variable winds. This weekend, thunderstorms are expected across the fire area.

Importance of Fire Prevention: All public lands in Central Oregon, to include the Ochoco National Forest are in Public Use (Fire) Restrictions. All open flames, including woodstoves and charcoal briquette fires are prohibited. In times of high fire danger, it is crucial for everyone to follow fire prevention measures to avoid additional strain on overburdened resources. The public's cooperation in adhering to fire bans and restrictions is vital to prevent new fires from starting and to help our firefighters focus on containing the existing fires. Learn more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices/?aid=89068. 

Smoke: Smoke from multiple fires in Central Oregon are impacting the region. Additional details are available via https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/079f0f73.

Fire Restrictions and Closures: The Ochoco National Forest has implemented a forest closure for the Paulina Ranger District. More information can be found at fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices/?aid=89203.

More Information:

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orocf-crazy-creek

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5 

Central Oregon Wildfire Information: https://centraloregonfire.org/ 

Crook County Emergency Information Map: https://arcg.is/1ij0vb