Single Publication

The lightning-caused Mill Lake Fire located 12 miles west of Corvallis up Mill Canyon has grown to 450 acres. Most of the growth yesterday was to the north and south (downsloap and upsloap) from the main fire area. There was little to no growth further down canyon, from west to east (towards Corvallis). Fire activity this morning was minimal with smoldering in the burned out areas from yesterday.

Multiple helicopters conducted water bucket drops on the fire Monday and were effective at checking and slowing the fire's spread. Helicopters will be used again today for water drops (as needed).

Firefighters are currently thinning brush and fuels along Sheafman Road (from Cow Creek Trailhead to Sheafman Trailhead) and digging hand line to tie into the Sheafman Creek trail system. Additional resources have been ordered including a 20-person hand crew and engines. No structures or infrastructure are currently threatened.

Location: North side of Mill Canyon, 2 miles east of Mill Lake and 8 miles west of the Mill Creek Trailhead.

Size: 450 acres

Fuel Type: Burning in timber with heavy dead and down trees with overhead hazards (snag trees).

Terrain: Steep, rugged, and inaccessible with large boulder fields. The difficult terrain, snag trees, and no landing locations for a helicopter limits the ability to safely place firefighters directly on the fire at this time.

Closures: The following trails and roads are currently closed for public safety:

Forest Trails: Mill Creek #364, Cow Creek #3, Hauf Lake #309, Sears Lake #312, Sheafman Creek #82, Fred Burr #38 (from the Fred Burr Reservoir to intersection with Mill Creek Trail).

Roads: Cow Creek Road #438