Single Publication

Cooler Weather Will Help in Firefighting Efforts

SPRAY, Ore. – Yesterday’s showers and the cooler weather has resulted in reduced fire behavior. For the Service Fire, this provided a good opportunity to build direct fire line with hand crews and dozers. Along the north side of the fire, the crews are continuing to build fire lines immediately adjacent to the fire and start plumbing with fire hose.  On the east side, which was recently most active, crews are securing the perimeter by establishing and reinforcing existing containment lines. On the southeast corner, the crews are getting into the fire and starting to lay hose lays to begin mop up to secure the fire perimeter.

Chipping operations and mop up along ORE 19 will continue to prepare for opening the highway. Oregon Department of Transportation is planning on opening the highway tomorrow.  Check for updates on ODOTs TripCheck - https://tripcheck.com/

Last night, the community meeting in Fossil was attended by over 40 people. ODF Incident Commander Matt Howard and other fire and local representatives presented to the attendees and answered questions. 

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

Community Meeting:

Tonight, there is a community meeting in Spray at The Rock, 601 Willow St. at 6:30 PM.

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:  22,441 acres          

Two Cabin-253 acres

Canyon-190 acres

Kinzua-96 acres

Holmes-15 acres

Service- 21,887

Containment:  3% 

Cause:  Lightning

Current Cost: $9.8 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