Cedar Creek Fire Update for October 20, 2022

Cedar Creek Fire QuickFacts 

Size: 126,690 acres

Containment: 50%

Total personnel: 555

Origin: 15 miles E of Oakridge, OR

Cause: Lightning

Start Date: August 1, 2022    

Resources: 19 engines; 10 crews; 7 helicopters;  9 heavy equipment                                    

Weather: Thursday will provide for cooler temperatures as the ridge of high pressure breaks down. Temperatures will be in the 60’s – 70’s, with relative humidity between 20 – 30 percent. Winds will be variable with speeds less than 10 mph in some areas. Starting Friday, the pressure will continue to drop with temperatures in the mid-50’s to mid-60’s, humidity in the 35 – 50 percent range, and wind gusts between 20 – 30 mph. This trend will progress toward the weekend bringing in precipitation in the 1-1/2 to 2 inch range between Friday evening and Sunday evening, and 4+ inches of snow possible on Saturday in the higher elevations.  

 Operations: Crews are still engaged in patrol and mop up operations in multiple divisions of the fire area. Air resources will be scaling back over the next several days, but will continue as weather and visibility permit, providing support to firefighters on the ground. Strong inversions continue to lock in smoke from interior fire activity into the surrounding valleys and drainages, extending the poor air quality conditions in and around Oakridge and nearby communities. The fire remains within control lines with 50 percent containment.  

Repair and rehabilitation projects across the fire area are ongoing. Assessment and repair continue around road systems along the northern edge of the fire. In Division Alpha on the northwest corner of the fire, repairs on the 1944 road and 1958 road are now complete. In Division Romeo to the southeast, continued work will include repair and rehab of dozer and handlines. The west side of the fire perimeter will also see continued repair operations. 

With lower temperatures and higher relative humidity expected over the next few days, fire activity is expected to decrease. However, due to smoldering conditions and lower pressure, poor visibility and air quality will continue to be an issue along Highway 58 and within nearby communities. 

Closures: There are closures in effect on the Deschutes National Forest, and officials have just reduced the area closure on the Willamette National Forest. These closures will remain in place until areas impacted by the fire are surveyed for safety risks and fire crews are able to mitigate these hazards. Please respect Forest closures for firefighter and public safety. Please visit Willamette National Forest and Deschutes National Forest for the most recent closure orders and maps. Pacific Crest Trail hikers should visit pcta.orgfor current information. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the Cedar Creek Fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone – if you fly, we can’t. 

Smoke: Air quality conditions due to smoke are expected to range from good to hazardous within the forecast area. Smoke impacts will be heavily dependent on fire activity. For current conditions, see Fire.airnow.gov, oakridgeair.org, and LRAPA- Today’s CurrentAir Quality. Smoke Forecast Outlooks are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook. 

Evacuations: A map of the evacuation area is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/CedarCreek. Sign-up for emergency mobile alerts by going to oralert.gov. Please check with Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-693-6911 for updates and changes.

 Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8307/ | www.facebook.com/CedarCreekFire2022/ www.tinyurl.com/cedarcreekfireyoutube 

| Fire Information Line: 541-201-2335, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |