Willamette National Forest Fire Update 8/5

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Willamette National Forest

Forest Service News Release

Contact: Kris Eriksen, PIO

(907) 394-2629

Email: [email protected] https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette

Willamette National Forest Fire Update

Westfir, Aug. 5, 2022 9:30 am – Things slowed down a bit on the Willamette National Forest yesterday. There were no new fires and no new holdover fires found from the recent lightning storm. Slightly cooler weather calmed fire behavior and allowed at least one fire to reach containment.

Firefighters were able to complete line around the 4 acre Le Conte fire in the Three Sisters Wilderness on the McKenzie Ranger District. Fire #204 in the same area has been contained at 1/10th acre and the smokejumpers that have been on the fire are being flown off today.

The Potter Fire was active but with slow, backing behavior and crews were able to get more line around it. It is 149 acres.

The Type 1, PNW2 Team, in-briefed last night to take over management of the Cedar Creek Fire with Incident Commander Mike Minton. The transfer of command will happen tonight at 8:00 pm after the new team has a day to shadow local staff and gain better situational awareness. During the transition, local crews and fire managers will continue operations and have three Type 1 helicopters and one Type 3 helicopter available for use. All aviation is based at the Oakridge Airport which is closed to all but fire related air traffic.

The Cedar Creek Fire has moved directly east and last night’s infrared shows it to be 1054 acres. Infrared flights are the most common way of measuring acreage change. A plane flies over the fire late at night, in this case at 9:44 pm, and uses special technology to measure heat on the ground. Areas with stripes indicate intense heat while areas with dots indicate scattered heat. Crews will also be wrapping the historic Waldo Lookout with a heat reflecting material to try and keep it safe if the fire moves north.

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George Custer

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George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.

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