MITCHELL, Ore. – The Shoe Fly Fire challenged firefighters throughout the day on Saturday, however overnight they were able to hold the fireline and keep the fire within the existing footprint. They were also able to improve the fireline in some areas, working to build it directly adjacent to the fire and widening existing lines. Including Saturday’s fire growth, the fire is now 26,409 acres, with increased containment of 19%.
On the western side of the fire, west of Peggy Butte, crews worked to build fireline along the fire’s edge. This line will be completed by day shift crews today. Spotfires in this area were gridded for heat.
Operations on much of the fire are transitioning to mop up, the tedious task of gridding through the fire’s edge to ensure there is no heat remaining. This will reduce the potential for any flare up crossing the fireline in the future. In lighter fuels such as grass, the mop up will move faster than areas with deeper duff, needle cast, or larger fuels. Areas where the fire did not cleanly burn all the down material and vegetation will also be more time consuming.
A Fire Weather Warning is in place for the fire and surrounding area for potential thunderstorms with abundant lightning. These storms could bring gusty, erratic winds and the potential for new fire starts in the area. Resources from the Shoe Fly Fire continue to be available to support local firefighters and landowners in suppression efforts.
Overnight an Oregon State Fire Marshal structural task force continued work near homes and structures, mitigating fuel and monitoring fire conditions near structures across the incident. Today two task forces will continue to prepare areas near structures as a precaution and patrol near homes within the fire area.
Evacuation notices for residents around the fire continue to be evaluated by the Wheeler County Sheriff, Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief, and Team 1 Operations personnel. More information on current evacuations is available at https://tinyurl.com/RAPTOR-Evacuation-Info