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Rain returns to the forecast, aiding firefighters in the last stages of mop up

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – Cooler temperatures and rain showers have returned to the forecast overnight, naturally helping firefighters engaged on the Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fire in the last efforts of mop-up operations. Overnight, a quarter inch of rain was recorded over the fire. Containment has increased once again, now sitting at 85%. As resources continue to find and extinguish remaining hotspots, this number will rise. 

Thunderstorms also return to the forecast today, with slight chances for isolated storms. Firefighters engaged in mop-up efforts will be ready to respond to any new lightning-caused fire starts in the immediate area or help local districts beyond. 

Repair work continues to remain the focus on the fire now, as resources create water bars to prevent erosion, particularly for when consistent rain returns in the fall and winter. Firefighters are also working to return areas that have been impacted by suppression efforts to a more natural state on federal lands on the east side of the incident. This will continue for the next couple of weeks. 

As work progresses on the line, Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1 personnel are engaged in the process of transitioning the incident to Alaska Team 1 on the east side of the fire, and a Type 3 local team of ODF South Cascade and Douglas Forest Protective Association staff on the west. Members from both of these new teams are arriving today and will be in-briefed on the current status of the incident tonight at 5 p.m. 

This meeting will kick off the transition of the incident; personnel across all three teams will work together tomorrow to exchange information, ensuring a smooth transition to the incoming teams. The official transfer of command will take place Saturday night at 6 p.m. 

The Lane County Waste Management Sharp's Creek Transfer site is open on its regular schedule once again. More information is available here: https://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/public_works/waste_management

Closures: Due to wildfires, the Umpqua National Forest has issued a closure to provide for public safety. The closure order and map 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