Firefighters Continue Battling Canal Creek Fire, Now at 200 Acres

Several road closures are in effect due to concerns for public and firefighter safety.

Canal Creek Fire Courtesy: inciweb.org

(SWEET HOME, Ore.) - The Canal Creek Fire 8 miles southwest of Detroit, Oregon, has grown to 200 acres, according to fire officials on scene. They say the fire has continued to burn in heavy timber through old-growth stands of Douglas Fir.

Burning snags and spotting are safety concerns for firefighters working in the steep terrain. A Type II incident management team will assume management of the fire at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Cooler temperatures and rainfall this afternoon should contribute to moderate fire behavior. Helicopters and air tankers will continue to drop water and retardants along the active fire front.

The Kinney Arm of Detroit Lake is being used as a dipping site for water; boaters on Detroit Lake are encouraged to avoid the area.

Recreation use in the Detroit Lake Recreation Area and the Quartzville corridor is expected to be high this weekend.

Visitors are encouraged to be cautious when traveling on open sections of Forest Road 11, also known as Quartzville Road, due to the presence of heavy fire traffic. Smoke may be visible in the Detroit Lake Recreation Area and North Santiam corridor throughout the day.

Several road closures are in effect due to concerns for public and firefighter safety.

The affected area includes Forest Road 2212, also known as Kinney Creek Road, south of Detroit Dam, Forest Road 2202 near Monument Peak, and Forest Road 11, also known as Quartzville Road, from the junction with Forest Road 1131 to the intersection with Forest Road 1133 to the east.

Closures: Forest Road 2212 (Kinney Creek Road) south of Detroit Dam, Forest Road 2202 (Monument Peak Road) along the Forest boundary, Forest Road 11 (Quartzville Road) from the junction with Forest Road 1131 to the intersection with Forest Road 1133 to the east, Forest Road 1131 and Forest Road 1133.