20,699-acre Shoe Fly Fire growth slows, 1% contained as region’s other large wildfires, evacuations grow
MITCHELL, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The 20,699-acre Shoe Fly Fire in Wheeler County has its first containment figure, 1% as of Wednesday morning, after a day of good progress on the lines, but with more hot, dry weather at hand -- the issues also facing crews on several other large lightning-sparked fires in the region.
New wildfires continue to emerge, such as the Hawley Ridge Fire (Incident 793), southwest of Paulina, at about 200 acres, with Level 3 evacuations.
More evacuations have been ordered on the 14,000-acre Wiley Flat Fire in Crook County and on the 61,000-acre Rail Ridge Fire.
Track updates at https://app.watchduty.org/
Gov. Tina Kotek's office said Tuesday there were 21 large uncontained fires burning across the state.
Shoe Fly Fire:
| SHOE FLY FIRE Daily Update: September 4, 2024 | Fire Information Links: https://linktr.ee/odfteam1 Phone: (541) 362-4119 Email: IMT1.FireInfo@ODF.oregon.gov |
FIRE AT A GLANCE
Total Size: 20,699 acres
Total Containment: 1%
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Cost: $65,000
County Evacuations
Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation notices, info available here: https://tinyurl.com/RAPTOR-Evacuation-Info
Road Closures
For road closures, visit:
https://www.tripcheck.com
Fire Restrictions
ODF: www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx
All Resources
Hand Crews: 1
Engines: 4
Water Tenders: 2
Dozers: 10
Total Personnel: 50
ODF Incident Commander: Joe Hessel
Incident Management Team 1
Limited fire growth, hot dry weather expected
MITCHELL, Ore. – After rapid fire growth Monday on the Shoe Fly Fire, firefighters saw reduced fire behavior and minor fire spread Tuesday. Overnight, firefighters worked to build fireline around small spot fires on the northeast side of the fire adjacent to the fire perimeter. The fire grew to 20,699 acres with 1% containment.
ODF Team 1 Incident Commander Joe Hessel thanked local landowners and partners at Wednesday morning’s briefing, stating, “A significant amount of great work was done prior to our arrival. This fire made a large push in its first 24 hours, but local fire agencies and landowners pushed back, and we’ll continue to build on their forward momentum.”
Today, crews will continue to strengthen the fireline, working to construct line directly adjacent to the fire where possible. Resources will focus on areas where the fire is currently the most active. Strategic firing operations will be used to remove fuel between the fire perimeter and the fireline. Firefighters will be working to connect the fire near Waterman Road and establish a strong fireline in this area.
Hot, dry weather is a concern today, increasing the potential for spotting across the fireline in extremely dry fuels.
Additional crews and firefighting resources have been ordered and should be arriving starting today. Aircraft is available to support ground resources as needed.
Oregon State Fire Marshal structural taskforces are working for the Wheeler County Fire Defense Board, providing structural protection for homes near the fire. The Wheeler County Sheriff has issued evacuation notices for residents around the fire. More information on current evacuations is available at https://tinyurl.com/RAPTOR-Evacuation-Info
Numerous landowners, rangeland protection association members, Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department, and Oregon Department of Forestry – Central Oregon District resources initially responded to the fire Monday morning.
The fire is burning on private and BLM lands protected by ODF, and private rangelands protected by Twickenham RFPA, Wheeler County Ranches RFPA, and Wheeler County Fire and Rescue.
