MITCHELL, Ore. – After rapid fire growth Monday on the Shoe Fly Fire, firefighters saw reduced fire behavior and minor fire spread Tuesday. Overnight, firefighters worked to build fireline around small spotfires on the northeast side of the fire adjacent to the fire perimeter. The fire grew to 20,699 acres with 1% containment.
ODF Team 1 Incident Commander Joe Hessel thanked local landowners and partners at Wednesday morning’s briefing, stating, “A significant amount of great work was done prior to our arrival. This fire made a large push in its first 24 hours, but local fire agencies and landowners pushed back, and we’ll continue to build on their forward momentum.”
Today, crews will continue to strengthen the fireline, working to construct line directly adjacent to the fire where possible. Resources will focus on areas where the fire is currently the most active. Strategic firing operations will be used to remove fuel between the fire perimeter and the fireline. Firefighters will be working to connect the fire near Waterman Road and establish a strong fireline in this area.
Hot, dry weather is a concern today, increasing the potential for spotting across the fireline in extremely dry fuels.
Additional crews and firefighting resources have been ordered and should be arriving starting today. Aircraft is available to support ground resources as needed.
Oregon State Fire Marshal structural taskforces are working for the Wheeler County Fire Defense Board, providing structural protection for homes near the fire. The Wheeler County Sheriff has issued evacuation notices for residents around the fire. More information on current evacuations is available at https://tinyurl.com/RAPTOR-Evacuation-Info
Numerous landowners, rangeland protection association members, Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department, and Oregon Department of Forestry – Central Oregon District resources initially responded to the fire Monday morning.
The fire is burning on private and BLM lands protected by ODF, and private rangelands protected by Twickenham RFPA, Wheeler County Ranches RFPA, and Wheeler County Fire and Rescue.
