78-acre Anderson Butte Road Fire fully lined near Talent
Firefighters made significant overnight progress after the wind-driven fire grew rapidly in Jackson County Sunday evening
FIRE FACTS
Fire:
Anderson Butte Road Fire
Location:
Southwest of Talent and east of Ruch in Jackson County
Size: 78 acres
Status:
Fireline is complete around 100% of the perimeter, with hose laid along approximately 80%.
Current Activity:
Crews are conducting mop-up operations and strengthening existing containment lines.
Cause:
Under investigation
Resources:
4 Type 6 engines
1 dozer
8 20-person hand crews
6 water tenders
1 Type 1 helicopter available
1 Type 2 helicopter available
Active Fire Behavior: Flames burn through grass and timber on the Anderson Butte Road Fire as crews work to slow the fire’s spread. Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Firefighters have completed line around the entire Anderson Butte Road Fire and are beginning mop-up operations today after making significant progress overnight on the wildfire southwest of Talent and east of Ruch.
The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District said Monday morning that the fire is now mapped at 78 acres. The increase from Sunday evening's 60-acre estimate reflects more accurate mapping of the perimeter and does not represent additional overnight growth.
Crews have completed fireline around 100% of the perimeter and extended hose along approximately 80% of the fire.
Cooler overnight temperatures and higher relative humidity helped reduce fire activity and gave firefighters an opportunity to strengthen lines established during Sunday’s aggressive initial attack.
Crews are now working inward from the perimeter, extinguishing remaining heat and reducing the potential for the fire to escape established lines.
Resources assigned Monday include four Type 6 engines, one dozer, eight 20-person hand crews, and six water tenders. A Type 1 helicopter and Type 2 helicopter are available to support ground crews if needed.
Smoke Plume: A smoke plume from the Anderson Butte Road Fire stretches across the evening sky southwest of Talent. Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District.
Fire grew quickly Sunday evening
The fire was initially reported the evening of Sunday, Sept. 20, as an approximately 8-acre grass fire spreading at a high rate of speed along Anderson Butte Road.
ODF immediately began an aggressive air and ground response, including helicopters and Air Attack.
The estimated size increased to 10 acres shortly after 6 p.m., 30 acres by 7 p.m., and 50 acres by 7:30 p.m. By 8:30 p.m., the fire was estimated at 60 acres and firefighters had wet line around approximately 20% of the perimeter.
Aircraft ended operations as daylight diminished while additional crews, engines, and water tenders arrived for overnight suppression work.
Eight 20-person crews, four Type 6 engines, and four water tenders were ordered for the night shift.
Despite daytime temperatures reaching the upper 80s and lower 90s Sunday, firefighters were able to continue strengthening containment lines before overnight temperatures fell into the 50s.
Smoke from Anderson Butte Road Fire: Smoke rises from the Anderson Butte Road Fire in the hills southwest of Talent during Sunday evening’s initial attack. Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District.
Fire season continues despite recent rain
Recent rainfall and cooler weather have improved fire conditions across southwest Oregon in recent weeks, but fire season is not over.
Vegetation can dry quickly during stretches of warm weather, and new fires can still spread rapidly when wind, terrain, and available fuels align. The Anderson Butte Road Fire grew from an initial estimate of 8 acres to about 60 acres within several hours Sunday before firefighters were able to slow its spread.
Firefighters across the ODF Southwest Oregon District remain available to respond to new starts while crews continue suppression work on the Anderson Butte Road Fire.
The official cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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