Wrights Spring Fire Grows to 2,000 Acres as Crews Make Overnight Progress
Firefighters strengthened lines along the east flank, while rugged terrain continues to challenge crews on the north and south sides.
Helitack Operations: A firefighter watches a helicopter work above active fire in heavy timber on the Wrights Spring Fire. Nate McDougal, ODF Helitack.
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name: Wrights Spring Fire
Location: South of Sprague River and east of Chiloquin, between Forest Service Road 5817 and Road 22
Acres: Approximately 2,000
Containment: Not reported
Evacuations: None
Equipment: Ground and air crews are actively engaged, with additional resources en route
Activity: Crews strengthened the east flank overnight with direct attack and burnout operations. Airtankers have dropped approximately 30,000 gallons of retardant, while heavy timber and rugged terrain continue to challenge the north and south sides.
CHILOQUIN, Ore. — Firefighters made progress overnight on the Wrights Spring Fire, which has grown to approximately 2,000 acres south of Sprague River and east of Chiloquin.
The fire is burning between Forest Service Road 5817 and Road 22, also known as Switchback Road, according to the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.
Crews went directly against the fire on the east flank and conducted strategic burnout operations overnight. Firefighters also anchored portions of the fire along Forest Service Road 9718 and the 870 spur, strengthening control lines in those areas.
Retardant Drop: An airtanker drops retardant across rugged terrain to slow the Wrights Spring Fire and support crews on the ground. Nate McDougal, ODF Helitack.
The north and south sides remain challenging because of heavy timber, dense vegetation, and rugged terrain. Airtankers have dropped approximately 30,000 gallons of retardant on areas that are difficult for ground crews to reach, helping slow the fire and support suppression efforts.
Fire Activity: Satellite heat detections show widespread fire activity near Wrights Meadows, Swan Lake Mountain, and Ya Whee Plateau. The fire was estimated at approximately 2,000 acres with no containment reported. National Interagency Fire Center.
Ground and air crews remain actively engaged Thursday morning. Additional resources are traveling to the incident to support operations throughout the day.
No evacuations or formal closures are in effect. However, officials are asking the public to avoid Forest Service roads 5813, 5817, and 22 because of heavy fire traffic and ongoing suppression work.
Officials are also working on possible temporary placement options for livestock and pets. Plans involving the Klamath County Fairgrounds are being developed but have not been confirmed.
This is a developing incident. Jefferson Firewatch will update this report as additional information becomes available.
Overnight Operations / Cover Photo: Flames burn along a forested ridge as firefighters work overnight on the Wrights Spring Fire. Nate McDougal, ODF Helitack.
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