Crockets Knob Fire Update – August 26, 2022
Location: 19 miles north of Prairie City, Oregon
Start Date: August 22, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Current Size: 1,000 acres
Containment: 0%
Current Situation: The Crockets Knob Fire experienced significant growth yesterday influenced by strong north and west winds. Some spotting occurred across Big Boulder Creek drainage and FSR 436. Two Large Air Tankers (LATs) dropped retardant along the southern flank to slow progression into the nearby Badger Creek drainage. A cold front is expected to move through the fire area late Friday afternoon into Saturday, which has the potential to produce strong winds. Firefighters and heavy equipment have continued prepping and removing brush along FSR 45 and FSR 537 to connect indirect lines along the western and northern fire edges. Hotshot crews are making good progress on handline construction, while also utilizing existing trail systems, to complete indirect containment lines along the east side of the fire. Fire personnel continue to evaluate options for containment lines in anticipation of the incoming weather system.
Evacuations: There are no evacuations in place.
Closures: Road, trail, campground, and area closures are in effect. This includes portions of Forest Service Road (FSR) 45 from County Road 20 north to Indian Rock Trailhead, as well as portions of FSR 4550 from FSR 4555 west to the intersection of FSR 45. The Princess Trail is closed from the trailhead to Forest Service Trail (FST) #251, as well as the Big Boulder Trail from the trailhead north to Head O’Boulder camp. Additionally, Indian Rock Trail is closed from Head O’Boulder camp north to Sharp Ridge/Squaw Rock trailhead. Head O’Boulder camp is also closed. An area closure is also in effect from FSR 45, south to FSR 4550, east to FSR 749, north to FSR 436, north to FST #251, northwest to FSR 537, then west back to the junction of FSR 45. For full area closure information and map, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur.
Smoke: Smoke may be visible to nearby communities and Forest visitors. Smoke and air quality impacts within the state can be monitored by visiting: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.
Public Safety: The closure order is in place to provide for public and firefighter safety during an active and developing wildfire incident. Prospective hunters should plan around the closure area when scouting camp locations and hunting grounds. Forest visitors should be aware of changing fire conditions and plan alternate travel routes if additional road closures are put in place. Fire danger on the Malheur National Forest remains HIGH. Please visit the Forest webpage for current public use restrictions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur.
Fire Information:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8355/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalheurNF
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