Single Publication

Firefighters continue progress on Service Fire

SPRAY, Ore. – With the cooler temperatures and higher humidity, fire activity was subdued, allowing firefighters to establish direct lines on the Spencer fire.  Cooler weather and recent rain allowed for firefighters to work right next to the burning edge of the fire to minimize acres burned. From the west along the north side to the east point of the fire, direct line is already constructed and being strengthened.  The southwest to south point along ORE 19 is progressing with chipping operations to remove excess debris and ODOT plans on opening the highway early Friday morning. Check for updates on ODOTs TripCheck - https://tripcheck.com/

The eastern part of the fire, towards Alder Creek Road, has a lot of work remaining to build and reinforce direct lines. Difficult terrain and extreme terrain on that part of the fire will require extra effort to build direct line. Matt Howard, ODF Incident Commander for ODF IMT 2 stated “There is a lot of edge and that is what it looks like when you utilize direct attack”.

The community meeting in Spray was attended by a small group of community members that heard updates from ODF Operations, the Incident Meteorologist, Dustin Gustaveson John Day Unit Forester, Jeremiah Holmes Fire Defense Board Chief, and Matt Howard Incident Commander.

Videos: Due to an issue with the Fossil Complex Facebook page, recordings of the meeting and Daily Operations Updates will be available at: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex

The Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office continually evaluates evacuation levels. Please check their Facebook page for the latest information. https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice/

The Two Cabin, Holmes, Kinzua and Canyon Fires are all in patrol status.  

Flying unauthorized drones is hazardous to aircraft and will ground critical aerial operations.

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Fossil Complex

Total Size:  24,059 acres          

Two Cabin-253 acres

Canyon-190 acres

Kinzua-96 acres

Holmes-15 acres

Service- 23,505

Containment:  3% 

Cause:  Lightning

Current Cost: $12 M

All Resources 

Hand Crews: 40

Engines: 58

Water Tender: 16

Dozers:  20

Skidders: 7

Skidgen: 3

Excavator: 2

Masticator: 2

Feller Buncher: 4

Total Resources: 1,255

Aerial Resources

Type 1: 3

Type 2: 6

Type 3: 4

Evacuations: 

Level 1: 21 addresses

Level 2: 85 addresses

Level 3: 156 addresses

https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice/

ODF Incident Commander:

Matt Howard
Incident Management Team 2