Springfield, Ore. – Bit by bit, containment on the Holiday Farm Fire continues to grow. Between infra-red flight data and on-the-ground truthing by field observation specialists, the fire now stands at 173,094 acres and 22 percent contained.
The southwest corner of the fire, just below Leaburg, is moving into patrol status. Due to the enormity of the fire, crews have begun to remove excess hose from this area and will transfer it to other areas of the fire. Because there are several pockets of unburned vegetation within the perimeter of the fire, residents can expect to see smoke and some torching of trees within the footprint of the fire. Please refrain from calling 911 on these smokes. Up to seven helicopters will be available to support firefighters on the ground, cooling edges and allowing crews to construct direct line along the perimeter.
Firefighters continue to strengthen containment lines in several other areas in advance of the weather system moving in Wednesday that will bring elevated winds out of the southwest. Rain is also expected later in the day on Wednesday.
Hazards along Highway 126 still exist. The McKenzie Highway remains closed between Leaburg Dam Road (mp 23.9) and McKenzie River Drive (mp 46.3). For more information regarding road closures and delays, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Pages/Wildfire.aspx or www.tripcheck.com.
Level 1 and 2 evacuation notifications remain in effect for several communities within and bordering the fire area. For more information on current evacuation levels, visit www.lanecounty.org/mckenziefire for Lane County and www.linnsheriff.org/fire_live_updates_sept_2020/ for Linn County. Please continue to monitor cell phones, landlines, local media and official information sources for evacuation updates. Fire managers request that the public please avoid the area.
