Cedar Creek Fire Update, August 18, 8:00 a.m.

Acres: 4,836

Containment: 0%

Highlights: Thunderstorms passed over the fire area yesterday, accompanied by gusty winds which increased fire activity on the east and northeastern flanks, which pushed the fire farther into the Waldo Lake Wilderness. Heavy helicopters worked to moderate fire behavior by dropping water to cool hot spots. Crews used fire-resistant aluminum foil to wrap recreation infrastructure like wooden bridges and signs in the Waldo Lake Wilderness to protect them from the threat of fire. Heavy equipment and firefighters continued prep work north of the fire area along Forest Road (FR) 1944 down to FR 2419. This road is being prepped as a contingency fireline to protect values and communities at risk in the event that there was significant fire movement to the northwest. Heavy equipment resumed work from Shadow Bay Campground to Waldo Lake Road and crews continued chipping small diameter woody debris along roadsides. 

Operations: Hot and dry conditions will persist today with isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon.  Firefighters will remain vigilant for any new fire starts from these thunderstorms in the coming days. Crews are stationed on Black Creek Road (FR 2421) as fire backs down into the Cedar Creek drainage and small helicopters as well as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS” also known as “drones”) will be used as needed to encourage fire down the steep slope. Firefighters will be working to establish an anchor point on Black Creek Road in an effort to hold and secure the road and begin to contain the fire. Night crews will take over this evening with a mission to keep fire on the north side of the road, patrolling for any embers that may spot over the line. The Sacramento Interagency Hotshot Crew is currently working to widen and improve the Lower Fuji Mountain Trail in the roadless area. Heavy equipment including feller-bunchers, masticators, graders and skidders will connect the Trail outside of the roadless area to the prep work along the FR 5883 road system and the railroad right-of-way along Highway 58. Fire managers in cooperation with the Willamette National Forest will reopen Huckleberry Flats for the weekend beginning today. In order to continue with roadside prep work, it will close again on Monday for the safety of the public and firefighters working in the area.  

Evacuations: Currently, there are no evacuations in place.

Weather: Today is forecast to be mostly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 80s. Isolated thunderstorms are predicted again this afternoon with the potential for gusty winds and lightning.

Closures: An Area Closure is in place for the Cedar Creek Fire. This includes all trailheads and dispersed camping west and north of Waldo Lake. The lake itself, campgrounds, and trails (including the PCT) on the east side remain open. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place.

Restrictions: Fire restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest with the exception of the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other fires will be prohibited, except in designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heaters using liquefied or bottled fuel are still allowed if they can be switched on and off. Motorized vehicles may operate only on designated trails and roads, including within the Huckleberry Flats and Santiam Pass OHV areas.

Smoke: Smoke Forecast Outlooks are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook. 

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 541-201-2335 | Email: [email protected] | Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8307/ | https://www.facebook.com/CedarCreekFire2022/ | https://www.facebook.com/willamettenf | https://twitter.com/willametteNF | YouTube: https://www.tinyurl.com/cedarcreekfireyoutube