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Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fire resources respond to five new lightning-caused fires

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – Mop-up operations continue across the Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fire, naturally pushed forward in progress following rain over the weekend. While the precipitation itself was beneficial on the fire line, thunderstorms sparked new, small fires across the Willamette Valley. 

This was anticipated by ODF Team 1, and a group of resources was identified early on to respond to potential fire starts. In total, these firefighters responded to five new fires, with three of them near the Lane 1 Fire that these resources stopped at 1/10 of an acre or less. Additional crews were sent to support to the ODF South Cascade District on two other fires, both stopped at small sizes as well. Firefighters and aircraft will continue to monitor the area for any additional lightning-caused fire starts in the coming days. 

Today, resources will continue to mop up hotspots into the interior of the fire, which creates a stronger line and ultimately ups containment, now 61% as of this morning. This work is tedious, requiring firefighters to dig into the dirt where root systems of trees can be smoldering underground. If these pockets of fire aren’t found now, they can reignite nearby vegetation weeks to months later. For this reason, resources go over these areas multiple times to ensure all fire and coals, above ground and below, are completely extinguished.

Repair work is also continuing, with firefighters adding water bars to prevent possible future erosion and dirt berms that could prevent water flow will be flattened out to mimic the natural terrain. 

Additional rain showers may return to the forecast later this week, however the next couple of days are predicted to be mostly sunny. As vegetation continues to dry out, firefighters will be aware of the potential for fire behavior to naturally pick up in areas, although it will likely be minimal. 

Closures: Due to the wildfires, the Umpqua National Forest has issued two closures impacting every district of the forest. Cottage Grove Ranger District is closed. Closure Orders and maps can be found here:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices.

The Bureau of Land Management has issued the following emergency closure for Lane County: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/bureau-land-management-expands-emergency-fire-closure-due-cottage-grove-lane-1-fire

The following County roads are closed except to owners of private lands accessed from these roads: Brice Creek Road east of Umpqua National Forest Boundary, all of Sharps Creek Road.

Evacuations: A “Level 3” evacuation notice is in effect for the Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak. An evacuation map is available at: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire. 

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 8500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_5180.html. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts. 

Fire Restrictions: Umpqua National Forest restrictions can be found online – https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/umpqua/fire

Bureau of Land Management can be found online –  Fire Restrictions - Oregon-Washington Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov)

Oregon Department of Forestry restrictions can be found here – https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx

Douglas Forest Protective Association restrictions can be found here – https://www.dfpa.net/public-fire-restrictions