Fire Update for the Detroit and Sweet Home Ranger Districts

Visitors may continue to experience increased fire traffic on forest roads.

Visible plume from Scott Mountain Fire Photo: InciWeb.com

(DETROIT, Ore.) - Firefighters on the Detroit and Sweet Home Ranger Districts are mopping up the remains of 49 fires that were started by lightning on August 17th. A majority of the fires are either out or in patrol status. Crews will continue to monitor the fires for several weeks.

“The Type 3 incident management team that was brought in to manage the lightning complex for our Districts provided an outstanding service by keeping the fires small and minimizing impacts to recreationists and forest resources,” said Grady McMahan, District Ranger for the Detroit Ranger District. “They were especially effective in minimizing the exposure of firefighters to risks posed by the challenging terrain and potential for heightened fire activity during the days we experienced red flag warnings.” Fire management responsibilities will be returned to the Districts tomorrow morning.

The largest remaining fire is located on the eastern slopes of Dinah-mo Peak in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. Due to its location, this fire is being managed by the Type 1 Incident Management Team that is handling the View Lake Fire Complex for the Mt. Hood National Forest. The area closure for the northern section of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness remains in effect.

Visitors should be aware that Elk Lake Campground, Forest Road 4697 which leads to Elk Lake, Battle Ax Creek Trail (#3339) and Beachie Saddle Trail (#3341) remain open despite the recent expansion of an area closure in the Bull of the Woods Wilderness. The closure for Kinney Arm of Detroit Lake and dispersed camping around Kinney arm has been lifted.

Visitors should expect to encounter light to moderate smoke depending on wind direction and fire activity related to the View Lake Fire Complex to the north and Scott Mountain Fire to the south. Visitors may also continue to experience increased fire traffic on forest roads.

Source: Detroit & Sweet Home Ranger Districts news release