Single Publication

 Cedar Creek Fire Update, August 12, 8:00 a.m.

Acreage: 3,948
Containment: 0%

Highlights: There was minimal fire activity yesterday with moderate temperatures and humidity values nearing 50 percent. Firefighters continued work on an indirect containment strategy that was developed after crews tried unsuccessfully to engage the fire directly in steep and rugged terrain. Fire managers adjusted fire suppression tactics to minimize the risk to firefighters by using road systems around the fire as containment features that could be more safely accessed by crews working to hold and secure the perimeter. Crews continued to prep Forest Road 2417 north of the fire down to its intersection with Black Creek Road, and Interagency Hotshot Crews have scouted potential paths to connect both roads to Waldo Lake as a containment feature on the east flank. Firefighters have also been working on a contingency fireline and shaded fuel break from Forest Road 19 down to Highway 58. While firefighters do not anticipate a significant east wind event, these contingency firelines are being prepared as a precaution to protect the community of Oakridge.   

Operations: Today, crews will finalize a plan to connect the John Goddard Interpretive Site on Black Creek Road to the East Black Creek Trailhead at the lake. Connecting the road to constructed fireline that dead ends at the lake as another containment feature is being considered to prevent the fire from moving south towards Highway 58. As early as Saturday, firefighters could begin a firing operation off Black Creek Road to begin securing the southern perimeter of the fire. Crews are continuing prep work along Forest Road 2417 north of the fire area with masticators and crews chipping small woody debris. Road graders and water tenders continue to improve roads and minimize roadside vegetation between the uncontained fire edge and Black Creek Road.  

Evacuations: Currently, there are no evacuations in place. 

Weather: Temperatures will be very similar to yesterday with early cloud cover transitioning to sunny skies by mid-morning with temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s. Relative humidity will be slightly lower tomorrow between 30-40 percent with west winds from 3 to 8 mph with gusts to 12 mph in the afternoon. 

Closures: The entire Waldo Lake Wilderness area is closed due to the Cedar Creek Fire. This includes all trailheads and dispersed camping west and north of Waldo Lake. The lake itself, campgrounds, and trails (including the PCT) on the east side remain open. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place. 

Restrictions: Fire restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest with the exception of the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other fires will be prohibited, except in designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heaters using liquefied or bottled fuel are still allowed if they can be switched on and off. Motorized vehicles may operate only on designated trails and roads, including within the Huckleberry Flats and Santiam Pass OHV areas. 

Smoke: Smoke Forecast Outlooks (in both English and Spanish) are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook. Air quality in Oakridge, Oregon is expected to be good with the best time of day to recreate outdoors being late afternoon.

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 541-201-2335 | Email: 2022.cedarcreek@firenet.gov | Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8307/ | 
 https://www.facebook.com/CedarCreekFire2022/ | https://www.facebook.com/willamettenf |
 https://twitter.com/willametteNF | YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/99hdyvjn