Wind and critically low humidity increase fire activity on east flank of Crazy Creek Fire
Fire Information Phone: 541-208-1768 (8am-8pm)
Media Information Phone: 541-208-1770 (8am-8pm)
Email: [email protected]
Acres: Crazy Creek: 75,024 | 498/Kitty Creek: 73
Start Date: July 22, 2024
Location: Crazy Creek: 5 miles north of Paulina, OR | 498/Kitty Creek: 7 miles south of Mitchell, OR
Personnel: 645 total for both fires
Containment: Crazy Creek: 19% | 498/Kitty Creek: 100%
Fuels: Timber and short grass
Highlights: Critically low humidity fueled an increase in fire behavior across the eastern flank of the Crazy Creek Fire in the afternoon Tuesday, resulting in numerous spots across the line and challenging conditions for firefighters.
Fire Activity: Fire behavior increased Tuesday as conditions tip-toed around red flag territory, resulting in spots across lines on the east flank of the fire and a notable increase in fire behavior along Forest Service Roads 12 and 8810. While these spots were quickly contained by firefighters with assistance from aircraft, the fire’s movement in this area continues to present challenges in the steep, complex topography and thick vegetation present in the Wolf Creek drainage. Critical conditions combined with tough topography may challenge containment in this area, but crews have completed extensive structure protection measures where needed and are prepared to
conduct strategic firing operations if conditions require.
Today, crews will continue to explore containment options on the southeast corner of the fire. Elsewhere around the fire—including on the south, west and northwest perimeters—firefighters will perform mop-up to knock down remaining hot spots, followed by holding, patrolling and monitoring where fire behavior has moderated.
Evacuations: Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for areas in Crook and Wheeler Counties for areas in or near the fire. Level 3 evacuations have extended from the Forest Boundary to Highway 380. Level 2 evacuations have extended south of Highway 380. For further information, please refer to the Crook County Office of Emergency Management evacuation map, linked at the bottom of this update.
Weather: Critically hot, dry weather will persist today, with slightly moderated winds out of the northwest at 10 mph and gusts to 20 mph.
Importance of Fire Prevention: All public lands in Central Oregon, to include the Ochoco National Forest are in Stage 2 Public Use (Fire) Restrictions. All open flames, including woodstoves and charcoal briquette fires are prohibited. In times of high fire danger, it is crucial for everyone to follow fire prevention measures to avoid additional strain on overburdened resources. The public’s cooperation in adhering to fire bans and restrictions is vital to prevent new fires from starting and to help our firefighters focus on containing the existing fires.
Smoke: Smoke from multiple fires in Central Oregon are impacting the region. Additional details are available via https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/079f0f73.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: The Ochoco National Forest has implemented a forest closure for the Paulina Ranger District. More information can be found at fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices/?aid=89203. Bureau of Land Management has issued a temporary closure for public lands in Crook and Grant Counties. More information is available at https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-08/orwa-fpo-pri-paulina-080224.pdf.
More Information:
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orocf-crazy-creek
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5
Central Oregon Wildfire Information: https://centraloregonfire.org/
Crook County Emergency Information Map: https://arcg.is/1ij0vb
