‘Feeling good’: Crews achieve 55% containment on Elk Lane Fire west of Madras; task forces head home, evacuations lifted
(Update: Saturday fire report, 55% containment)
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Less than a week after the Elk Lane Fire broke out west of Madras, growing quickly to burn over 5,100 acres, the fire is now 55% contained, officials said Saturday, a day after all Level 3 evacuations were dropped and people could return home.
Here's Saturday's fire update:
Acres: 5,176 acres | Start Date: August 4, 2024 | Cause: Lightning | Fuels: Timber, Brush, Tall Grass | Containment: 55% | Resources: 210
Resources: 5 hand crews | 17 engines | 3 bulldozers | 6 water tenders | 4 skidgen
Highlight: Firefighters continued to increase containment and ensure lines are secure. Forecasted weather shows cooling temperatures (low-mid 80s), but dry conditions next week. The fire is now 55% contained.
Overview: The Elk Lane Fire is approximately 5,176 acres in size. It was started by a lightning strike on the evening of August 4th. The fire is now being managed by the Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team (CO Type 3 Team). With all evacuation levels below 3, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Incident Management Team along with all remaining task forces are demobilizing today.
Fire Activity: Fire activity is minimal throughout the fire. The approximate footprint of the burned area is east of the Deschutes River from Lake Simtustus to Belmont Lane, north of Belmont Lane to SW Elbe Drive and the Dry Canyon Area, south of Willow Creek, and west of NW Clackamas Drive. Suppression efforts today will continue to focus on mopping-up and securing lines. The great work of fire personnel has decreased threats to structures, resulting in the lowering of all evacuation levels. The CO Type 3 Team continues to manage the fire with over 100 personnel.
Evacuations: All evacuation levels in and around the Elk Lane Fire are below level 3. For the most up to date evacuation information in Jefferson County visit, https://tinyurl.com/mte4e75m or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff/. The Madras High School is still a temporary evacuation center, with the Red Cross on scene.
Weather: Hot temperatures (low 90s), low relative humidity, and light winds are forecasted for today and tomorrow. Cooler daytime temperatures (low-mid 80s) are forecasted starting Monday through next week. The change in weather will help firefighters completing mop-up operations.
Importance of Fire Prevention/Fire Restrictions: All public lands in Central Oregon 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.
Fire Information: The public is encouraged to call (458) 206-1745, for updates or reports from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M The information line will be shutting down tomorrow (Sunday). Local residents are encouraged to call the non-emergency dispatch number after tomorrow for any questions related to evacuations and/or the status of the fire. This number is 541-384-2080.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
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Earlier story:
"That means at 40% the fires edge is considered to be cold," Central Oregon Fire Management Public Information Officer Jeff Kitchens said Friday. "A cold edge, a mopped-up edge means that within about 100 feet of the edge, we are not seeing smoke or dealing with any kind of heat that could jump the line and start a fire."
Essentially, containment means there is no longer any concern of spread.
"Crews are moving along the entire line of the fire and checking it," Kitchens said. "Are there hot spots, is there smoke? They're spraying water and digging up the ground and making sure things are not going to spark or spread."
For 48 hours, the fire has been held at a distance of 3 1/2 miles from the Madras city limits.
"We are really feeling good about where this fire is, and the fact that it will not move again for the city, while we have crew working to mop up and make sure the line is cold," Kitchens said.
Starting from a lighting strike last Sunday, the fire brought out over 200 local, state and federal personnel.
"Right now we have four hand crews, we've got 25 engines. There's three bulldozers, eight water tenders and a number of other resources that are supporting this," Kitchens said.
Firefighters will remain at work and on duty west of Madras until managers deem it safe to pull back resources, many of whom are likely to head to the lines of other wildfires burning in the state and region.
"What's really important for folks to know in an instance like this we are not just leaving," Kitchens said. "We are not just going to walking away when the smoke is not there. We will help keep an eye on it, until we know everyone here is going to be safe.,"
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office have now lowered evacuation levels, and they have removed all Level 3 evacuations, so folks can return home.
Here's the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Friday announcement:
"Every level has changed and been lowered in some way! Please note that fire personnel is still here and they remain in the area. Make sure you drive back safely and keep an out for all of them.
*There are no longer any areas in a level three evacuation level.
*Everyone is free to return home.
*Last night's level three area is now a two.
*Lake Simtustus is a level zero
*Elk Dr. is LOCALS ONLY. There will be roadblocks here, only those who reside on Elk Dr. may drive through. Fire Personnel are heavily in the area so please move forward with caution.
A HUGE thank you to Oregon Stage Fire Marshall Red Team and the Central Oregon Type 3 Team for everything they have done to help us get Jefferson County residents back in their homes while protecting our community. We are grateful to you for all you've done!
The map has the latest breakdown.
https://fr911orgis.maps.arcgis.com/.../weba.../index.html...
