Wrights Spring Fire Reaches 47% Containment as OSFM Demobilizes
North half is largely contained as crews evaluate a more direct attack on the fire’s southwest edge.
FAST FIRE FACTS
Location:
2 miles west of Sprague River, Oregon
Size: 53,628 acres
Containment: 47%
Personnel: 978
Evacuations:
25 Level 3 zones
34 Level 2 zones
36 Level 1 zones
Command:
Northwest IMT 8
Activity:
Most of the north half is now contained. Crews are securing remaining lines while evaluating opportunities for a more direct attack on the southwest edge.
Smoke:
Light to moderate smoke remains possible across the Klamath Basin.
Closures:
Bliss Road remains closed from Petersteiner Road to Sprague River. The Fremont-Winema National Forest fire-area closure remains in effect.
Shelters:
Red Cross shelters remain available in Chiloquin and Bonanza. Large-animal sheltering remains available at the Klamath County Fairgrounds.
Cover Photo: The Wrights Spring Fire burns beneath the Milky Way on Aug. 7, viewed from Sprague River Road. Photo by Brett Deedon / Oregon State Fire Marshal.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Wrights Spring Fire has reached 47% containment, a major jump from 9% Saturday as firefighters secure much of the northern half of the incident and begin shifting their strategy along the remaining active southwest edge.
The fire is now 53,628 acres with 978 personnel assigned. Fire officials said Sunday that much of the north, northeast, and eastern perimeter is increasingly secure, with some areas requiring little more than patrol and continued mop-up.
The improving conditions are also bringing a major change in management. The Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Incident Management Team and its final two structural task forces are demobilizing Sunday as the direct threat to homes and other structures continues to decline. Northwest Incident Management Team 8 will remain in command of the fire.
Meanwhile, crews are evaluating a change in tactics on the southwest side. Firefighters will continue preparing the indirect containment line built east of Swan Lake Road, but they are now scouting opportunities to move closer to the existing fire edge and attack portions of it more directly.
CREWS CONSIDER MORE DIRECT APPROACH
The southwest portion of the Wrights Spring Fire remains the primary area where crews are working to complete containment.
For several days, firefighters have been constructing and improving an indirect line around Swan Lake and Swan Lake Point that could be used for a firing operation if necessary.
That remains the primary plan, but Operations Section Chief Ben Curtis said Sunday that crews are now evaluating whether conditions allow them to move closer to the fire.
Firefighters will begin moving through previously burned areas from the north to reach the southwest edge and identify locations where direct line could potentially be constructed. Crews on the lower end of Division F will also scout opportunities to work toward the fire from the south.
Fire command expects to make a decision on that approach later Sunday.
In the meantime, crews will continue completing and strengthening the indirect line so it remains available if a firing operation is ultimately needed.
NORTH HALF NOW LARGELY CONTAINED
The increase to 47% containment reflects significant progress across much of the northern half of the Wrights Spring Fire.
Around Saddle Mountain, Sunday’s work is largely focused on patrol, mop-up, and ensuring the fire remains inside established lines.
From Skeen Ranch Road south toward Bliss Road, only limited resources were needed overnight because conditions along that portion of the perimeter were looking increasingly secure.
Crews will continue increasing mop-up depth along the eastern and southeastern sides while strengthening containment where possible.
Firefighters did respond to some flare-ups Saturday around Swan Lake Mountain, where helicopters made bucket drops to support crews working on the ground.
OSFM GREEN TEAM DEMOBILIZES
Sunday marks the end of the Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Team’s assignment on the Wrights Spring Fire.
The final two OSFM structural task forces are also demobilizing as the need for dedicated structure protection resources continues to decline.
OSFM crews have spent much of the incident assessing and preparing homes, protecting critical infrastructure, and positioning resources around communities threatened by the fire.
Northwest Team 8 will remain in command as wildland firefighters continue securing containment lines and addressing remaining areas of concern.
The transition is another indication of the progress made around communities surrounding the fire, but suppression work is continuing and portions of the incident remain uncontained.
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