Due to forecasted hazardous weather conditions including rain, wind, potential lightning and hail, we will be suspending operations for all utility companies and non-essential people from entering the level 3 evacuation area and all areas within the fire footprint starting at 1800 tonight 9/17 through 9/18 at 1800.  Depending on weather conditions the suspension of activity may be extended in 24-hour increments.

Incident Commanders are concerned about fire weakened trees and rocks falling into the roadway or areas personnel are working. Homeowners who have chosen not to evacuate are directed to remain at home or evacuate during this weather event and not travel the road system within the fire perimeter.  Previously issued road access permits may be temporarily suspended and access denied during these periods.

No utility crews except those directly related to the Highway 126 snagging operation or Leaburg dam operations will be allowed in the fire areas during this time.

We will continue to reevaluate to determine access for the following 24 hours by 1800 each evening thereafter.

The weather may also dictate the number of fire resources assigned to the fire during this weather event.

Springfield, Ore. –The overnight infrared flight mapped the Holiday Farm Fire’s footprint at over 170,000 acres. The fire’s perimeter measures more than 260 miles or roughly Portland to Medford.

The suppression strategy uses a combination of roads, ridges and hand line to control the fire’s spread. Across the lengthy perimeter of the fire crews are making steady progress. Equipment operators are widening existing roads, building dozer lines and removing trees to create solid control lines. Hand crews are following up, connecting control features and completing burnout operations to remove fuels between the main body of the fire and control lines.

Structural firefighters continue to aggressively extinguish hot spots in and around homes, clearing 100 feet around structures. The focus today remains on mopping up around homes from Vida to Rainbow. Protection efforts also remain in and around homes in the Deerhorn Road and Greenpasture Road areas.

The Urban Search and Rescue Team has completed 770 structural evaluations in the fire area. The team started at the eastern edge of the fire in the community of Rainbow and have been working west down the Highway 126 corridor. The team expects to assess structures in the community of Blue River today. The team has assessed about 75 percent of the 1018 structures in the fire area. Structures include commercial buildings, residences and outbuildings.

As of today, the USAR team has identified:

Springfield, Ore. –The Urban Search and Rescue Team has completed 431 structural evaluations in the fire area. The team started at the eastern edge of the fire in the community of Rainbow and have been working west down the Highway 126 corridor. The team expects to assess structures in the community of Blue River today. The team has assessed approximately 30 percent of the 1018 structures in the fire area. Structures include commercial buildings, residences and outbuildings.

Of the 431 structures evaluated by the team:

Springfield, Ore. –“Big iron stops fires, reinforced by the precision of crews digging hand lines,” said Jason Pettigrew, Operations Section Chief on ODF Incident Management Team 3.

This describes a good part of the suppression strategy being taken on the Holiday Farm Fire. The fire team is using bull dozers and other heavy equipment to construct control lines across large portions of the fire perimeter. Where the ground is too steep or rocky, fire fighters build hand lines to stitch together a solid perimeter of control lines. Structural crews continue to mop up hot spots around homes.  

Solid work by fire fighters combined with favorable weather conditions have led the Lane and Linn County Sheriffs to lower the evacuation levels in several areas.

Springfield, Ore. –The hard work of wildland and structural firefighters on the Holiday Farm Fire east of Springfield is starting to pay off. Yesterday, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office lowered the evacuation level in the Mohawk Valley to 2 (BE SET). After several days with zero containment, fire managers now estimate containment at five percent. Containment reflects the fire managers’ confidence that existing control lines would prevent additional fire spread.

An infrared flight that usually takes place overnight to show changes in fire growth did not occur last night. The most current information estimates the fire perimeter at 161,826 acres.

Many residents in the Mohawk Valley and north of the Linn County line are affected by the drop in evacuation levels. Please note two important exceptions:

Springfield, Ore. – We are saddened to report that firefighters located a deceased person in a home within the fire area yesterday. First responders are working with the Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the deceased, which may take some time. After the person has been identified, Lane County Sheriff’s Office will notify next of kin and afford them the opportunity to notify additional family and friends prior to releasing the person’s name.

Today, firefighters will begin the process of trying to locate unaccounted for people within the fire perimeter and start assessing structures. Teams will start along Highway 126 and the nearby communities. If any victims are found, the firefighters will notify the Lane County Sheriff’s Office for investigation.

Yesterday, the fire grew by about 5,000 acres, raising the total to 161,826 acres. The fire perimeter is nearly 200 miles. It remains 0% contained. Calmer weather over the fire moderated fire behavior, although a few spots fire were reported and quickly controlled. A stubborn layer of thick smoke has hampered air operations but aircraft remain available if conditions improve.  

With more resources in place, fire crews have been able to construct direct control lines (adjacent to the fire’s edge) and indirect control lines (farther back from the fire’s edge). Firefighters completed a successful burnout operation in the southwestern corner of the fire to establish a solid control line. Additionally, crews have been mopping up, scouting locations for new control lines and removing snags to make areas safer for fire personnel and vehicles.

Structural firefighters continue to focus on protecting structures and mopping up around homes. Currently, the fire threatens 17,732 structures.

Fire managers will be hosting a virtual community meeting via Facebook Live on the fire’s Facebook page at 7:00 pm this evening. The virtual event will also be available at: https://www.facebook.com/events/326383102027295

Fire managers request that the public please avoid the area. Some roads are closed in the fire area and much of the Willamette National Forest (WNF). Road hazards include falling trees and rocks and debris. For more information on closures on the WNF visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574

Many communities, in Lane and Linn counties remain under Level 1, 2, or 3 evacuation orders.  Current evacuation information can be found at:

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Northwest Oregon District, Oregon.

ACTION: Temporary Closure of Public Lands

SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR 9268.3(d) and 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides notice that effective immediately, the public lands described below are closed to all forms of public access. This action is in response to large fires currently active in the area. The BLM is closing public lands in order to reduce conflicts with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and burned area site recovery.

AFFECTED AREA: All BLM-managed public lands, roads, sites, and trails east of Interstate 5 in the following counties: Lane County, Linn County, Marion County, Clackamas County, Multnomah County. Also, BLM-managed public lands in Lincoln County are closed, with the exception of Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.

DATES: This closure is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such time as conditions allow for safe use of the public lands.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Howell, Associate District Manager, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR 97306, telephone (503) 375-5646.

DISCUSSION OF THE RULES: The public must not enter the closure area. All uses within the closure area are prohibited. Exceptions to these prohibitions are noted below under Exemptions. Incidents of extreme fire behavior and extreme fire danger have been observed throughout the District. You must not enter closed recreation sites. Recovery of these areas is expected to continue into next year, 2021.

EXEMPTIONS: The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Order:
1. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized medical, rescue or firefighting force engaged in fire, emergency, or law enforcement activities, or public utility employees engaged in emergency repairs.
2. BLM employees, contractors, or agents engaged in official duties:
3. Individuals operating within the scope of their official and legitimate governmental duties.
4. Parties who carry written approval signed by the BLM Authorized Officer (Field Manager or District Manager) allowing access to the described public lands.

PENALTIES: Any person who violates this may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Vehicles found in violation of this order may be removed.

EFFECTIVE: This Order is effective immediately upon signature.

(See Photos Tab for Copy of Signed Order)

Springfield, Ore. – Firefighters have been working to protect structures, as well as establish control lines on the Holiday Farm Fire.  At 156,708 acres in size, the fire is currently 0% contained.  Other priorities include clearing roads, such as Highway 126 for responder access to the area.  Yesterday the weather was more favorable to firefighting operation.  Winds decreased to 5-10 mph and the relative humidity was slightly higher than recent days. 

Structural crews used the break to establish defensible space around communities, helping to keep these values safe.  Structural and wildland resources have been working in tandem to keep the fire away from homes and businesses. There are currently 17,732 structures threatened by this fire.

425 personnel are now assigned to the fire.  Resources continue to be spread thin across the region and the nation, as many areas have large fire activity.  Local resources, such as cooperators with heavy equipment have been dispatched to this incident to begin assisting in the battle. In addition, members of the Oregon National Guard are here and will be staffing checkpoints on the roads so that sheriff’s deputies are free to patrol neighborhoods.

Today’s weather calls for poor humidity recovery in higher elevations.  Firefighters have been asked to stay watchful for the potential of the inversion layer lifting (blanket of smoke), which could cause a more dynamic fire environment with more active fire behavior. 

Public and firefighter safety remains the highest priority.  Fire managers are asking the public to please avoid the fire area. Roads are closed throughout the fire to give firefighters room to work and to keep the public safe.  Fire weakened trees, ash pits, and falling rocks and other debris are just some of the hazards on the incident.  Many communities, in both Lane and Linn counties remain under Level 1, 2, or 3 evacuation orders.  Current evacuation information can be found at:

Lane County: www.lanecounty.org/mckenziefire

Linn County: www.linnsheriff.org/fire_live_updates_sept_2020/

Fire personnel are touched by the outpouring of support from the community. Unfortunately, all resources are ordered through dispatch systems, and volunteers cannot be utilized. The fire must utilize individuals with appropriate qualifications. No donations can be accepted by fire personnel.  People looking to volunteer or donate are encouraged to look at local organizations such as American Red Cross or United Way, who will be aiding displaced residents.

Air quality is expected to remain at very unhealthy levels throughout the region today. Individuals are encouraged to avoid prolonged exposure to the outdoors or heavy exertion while outdoors.

Springfield, Ore. – Firefighters celebrated some small successes yesterday on the Holiday Farm Fire.  Fire behavior and weather conditions were still treacherous and kept firefighters from accessing many areas of the fire.  In many cases, however, they were able to move fire around and away from structures.  They utilized small “burnout” operations to remove lighter fuels in the path of the main fire.  Burnouts enable a lower intensity burn that is more manageable and less destructive.  These tactics aren’t always feasible due to factors such as wind, terrain, and fuel conditions.  It is estimated that over 100 structures were saved yesterday.

The fire was mapped using an Infrared overflight last night at 144,695 acres.  Containment remains at 0%.  207 personnel are assigned to the incident.  Fire resources are spread thin across the western United States as large fires are burning in many states. Orders for critical needs have been placed.

Today, firefighters are expecting to see very unstable weather conditions across the fire area.  Winds are expected to shift and begin blowing out of the west today and relative humidity is expected to remain between 10-15%.  These weather conditions may contribute to another day of very active fire behavior. 

Firefighters will be scouting areas for potential fire line location, providing structure protection, and continuing to assist with evacuations in areas under Level 3 evacuation orders.  Many communities remain under Level 1, 2, or 3 evacuation orders.  Current evacuation information can be found at:

Lane County: www.lanecounty.org/mckenziefire

Linn County: www.linnsheriff.org/fire_live_updates_sept_2020/

Residents are reminded that roads through the fire area are currently closed.  These closures are for the safety of residents, as well as firefighting personnel.  There are many hazards remaining, such as fire-weakened trees and falling rocks and other debris.  Firefighters will begin conducting structural inventories and damage assessments when it is safe to do so.

Firefighters have support and supplies readily available to them from the fire camp.  At this time, no donations can be accepted for the fire personnel.  People looking to donate are encouraged to look at local organizations such as American Red Cross or United Way, who will be providing assistance to displaced residents. These individuals and their well-being is the highest priority for those wishing to make donations. This is also true for people wishing to volunteer with the fire suppression effort. All firefighting resources are ordered through systems that confirm the necessary qualifications.

Air quality is expected to be very unhealthy throughout the region today. Individuals are encouraged to avoid prolonged exposure to the outdoors or heavy exertion while outdoors.