Single Publication

Size: 5,647 acres | Reported Date: September 7 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 564 | Containment: 22%

(Silver Lake, Ore.) – The Buck Creek Fire started in heavy timber within the Yamsay Mountain Semi-Primitive Area on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, about 13 miles southwest of Silver Lake, Ore. The fire spread north and east into managed timber stands on National Forest lands with brush and grass understory and it remains about 11 miles from the community of Silver Lake. Public and firefighter safety remain the incident’s top priority.

As displayed on the Buck Creek Fire map, the heavy black line along portions of the fire perimeter represents sections where the fire is contained. A section of constructed fire line is marked as contained when on-the-ground firefighting supervisors have a high degree of confidence the fire will not reignite and escape the established line. Crews monitor and patrol all constructed fire line for several days -- putting out burning stumps, cooling ash-pits, and walking the line and adjacent areas over and over to confirm the ground is cold to the touch. Infrared technology is also used to identify any remaining hot spots. This deliberate, dirty, and hazardous work creates the confidence to indicate a section of line as contained. To learn more about containment, see the September 17 Facebook post entitled “Breaking the Fire Triangle on the Buck Creek Fire” at https://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO.

Buck Creek: Last night, crews patrolled to ensure fire did not cross constructed fire lines. During the day, breezy conditions resulted in a slight increase in fire activity interior to the perimeter. All around the fire’s edges, firefighters strengthened fire lines by extinguishing hot spots. Crews worked to fall hazardous trees along Forest Road 036, creating safer working conditions for road grading efforts in the coming days.

Today, crews are using water pumped from nearby streams to mop up hot spots in areas of steeper terrain where water tenders cannot reach. Firefighters in other areas are extinguishing hot spots along the remainder of the constructed fire line using water pumped from portable tanks filled by water tenders. Aviation remains available to assist on-the-ground crews as conditions allow. 

Evacuations: In coordination with fire managers, the Lake County Sheriff has established evacuations for the Buck Creek Fire.  Go to www.lakecountyor.org for details about evacuation levels. 

Weather: Last night, the fire area received one-tenth inch of rain. Today, cloudiness will give way to increasing sunshine. High temperature is forecast to reach the 60s, with minimum humidity in the 35-45 % range.

Safety: Firefighting equipment and personnel are present on local roads. Fire managers ask the public to drive attentively and to remain clear of the fire areas. The public also plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire by using caution with all ignition sources. For prevention tips visit: https://keeporegongreen.org. 

Closures and Restrictions: Current fire danger is high and restrictions are in place within the Fremont-Winema National Forest. A forest closure order is in effect for the area around the Buck Creek Fire. For the complete order and map as well as more detail on fire restrictions, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema.  Christmas Valley Airport is being used as the helibase for fire operations and is temporarily closed to general aviation. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Buck Creek Fire. 

Smoke:  Smoke from multiple fires around the region is affecting air quality. For more information on smoke conditions and strategies on limiting exposure, go to: www.oregonsmoke.org or www.AirNow.gov.