Canal Creek Fire at Detroit Prompts Closures and Evacuations

With light winds and warm temperatures today, the fire is expected to push up-slope in this area of heavy timber and old-growth Douglas Fir.

File photo of recent Oregon wildland firefighter training by Jerry Freeman Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - The wildland fire reported at 6:00 pm last night about 8 miles southwest of Detroit has been named the Canal Creek Fire.

As of 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning, it had grown to 45 acres in size. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.

Interagency resources assigned to this fire have now increased to include; 9 hand crews, 1 helicopter, 3 engines and 1 dozer. Additional resources have been ordered up and will soon be responding.

A Type III Incident Management Team has been assigned, and is expected to take over this incident later this afternoon. Smoke from this fire is visible from the I-5 corridor, and communities in the North and South Santiam valleys.

With light winds and warm temperatures today, the fire is expected to push up-slope in this area of heavy timber and old-growth Douglas Fir. The fire is currently in the Elk Creek Drainage, approximately 2 miles west of Slate Rock.

Due to fire crew activity in the area, some closures and volunteer evacuations have been initiated. Campers recreating in the fire area along Forest Roads 1131 and 101 (Elk Creek area) have been asked to leave due to these public safety concerns.

A road closure will be placed in effect for Forest Road 11, also known as Quartzville Road, between the intersection of Forest Road 11 with Forest Road 1131 (just east of Yellowbottom Campground) and Forest Road 1133 due to the presence of heavy fire traffic.

This is an approximately 13 mile section of the Quartzville Road. The public is asked to avoid the fire area for your own safety. Salem News will report on additional closures as they are initiated.

Other Oregon Dept. of Forestry Fires

10-acres have been consumed so far by the Joseph Canyon Fire. Reported on Wednesday,, this fire is burning on the Wallowa Unit of the Northeast Oregon District. The fire currently has low growth potential and the cause is under investigation.

The 48-acre Lone Mountain Fire in the Grants Pass Unit of the Southwest Oregon District is being mopped up. The fire destroyed six outbuildings and the cause is under investigation.