Wrights Spring Fire Mapped at 19,290 Acres as Evacuations Expand (UPDATED)
Unified command takes over as crews focus on structure protection near Sprague River.
Task Force Response: A Kingsley Field Fire Department task force travels toward the Wrights Spring Fire as additional structural firefighting resources respond to the growing incident in Klamath County. Kingsley Field Fire Department.
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name:
Wrights Spring Fire
Location:
East of Chiloquin and south of Sprague River in the Fremont-Winema National Forest
Acres: 19,290
Containment: 0%
Evacuations:
13 Level 3 zones
7 Level 2 zones
20 Level 1 zones
Command:
Northwest Team 8 and the Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Incident Management Team in unified command
Resources:
316 personnel
6 OSFM structural task forces
Additional handcrews, engines, dozers, and aviation resources
Activity:
The fire experienced significant growth to the east and southeast Friday. Crews are strengthening the western and northwestern edges while evaluating Roads 5850 and 22 as primary control lines. Structure protection is focused around Saddle Mountain, Elde Road, Sprague River, Skeen Ranch Road, and Bliss Road.
Shelter:
Chiloquin Elementary School, 548 S. 2nd Ave., Chiloquin
Large Animals:
Klamath County Fairgrounds for horses
Cattle assistance through Southern Oregon Emergency Aid at 831-235-3031
Road Closure:
Sprague River Road between Nine Mile Road and Sprague River Drive
UPDATE, 6:00 p.m.:
Fire officials say the Wrights Spring Fire is threatening a key communications site near Swan Lake. If the site is damaged, portions of the area could lose Verizon and AT&T cell service along with access to 911, emergency dispatch communications, and ODOT communications. A loss of service could also prevent some residents from receiving evacuation alerts on their devices.
There is no communications outage at this time. Crews are working to protect the site and backup communications are being planned. Fire officials are urging residents not to rely on cell phones alone for evacuation notifications, to know their evacuation zone, have another way to receive information, and be prepared to leave if conditions become unsafe or emergency personnel give evacuation instructions.
CHILOQUIN, Ore. — The Wrights Spring Fire is mapped at approximately 19,290 acres and remains 0% contained Saturday as crews work to strengthen control lines and protect communities around Sprague River.
Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 8 and the Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Team established unified command at 6 a.m. Saturday. Personnel assigned to the incident have increased to 316.
The fire is burning about two miles west of Sprague River after significant growth to the east and southeast Friday. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 evacuation notices remain in effect across the area.
Evacuation Areas: The latest evacuation map shows Level 1 “Be Ready,” Level 2 “Be Set,” and Level 3 “GO NOW” zones surrounding the Wrights Spring Fire and extending toward Sprague River and Highway 140. Check your current evacuation status in Genasys Protect.Watch Duty.
Current Evacuations
Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation orders are in effect for FHZ-1166, FHZ-1581, FHZ-1582, KLA-1162, KLA-1163, KLA-1164, KLA-1165, KLA-1167, KLA-1168, KLA-1376, KLA-1381-B, KLA-1556, and KLA-1711.
Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation warnings are in effect for KLA-1156, KLA-1161, KLA-1171, KLA-1176, KLA-1381-A, KLA-1561, and KLA-1706.
Level 1 “Be Ready” notices are in effect for KLA-1031, KLA-1181, KLA-1186, KLA-1191, KLA-1361, KLA-1366, KLA-1371, KLA-1386, KLA-1391, KLA-1396, KLA-1401, KLA-1416, KLA-1426, KLA-1566, KLA-1572, KLA-1712, KLA-1713, KLA-1716, KLA-1717, and KLA-1719.
Evacuation notices cover the community of Sprague River and areas along Sprague River Road east of Chiloquin toward Highway 140. Residents should check their specific address through Genasys Protect because evacuation boundaries can change.
Crews Establish Control Lines
Fire officials say the Wrights Spring Fire experienced significant growth to the east and southeast Friday.
Strategic burning was used to establish an anchor point on the northwest corner of the fire. The fire also crossed Road 5850, prompting crews to construct direct line intended to bring the fire back toward the road.
Road 5850 is now being evaluated as a primary control line.
Crews are scouting Roads 5850 and 22 Saturday for additional use as primary control lines. The western and northwestern edges of the fire are serving as the main anchor points and will be strengthened throughout the day.
Structure Protection Expands
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has deployed eight structural task forces to the Wrights Spring Fire, providing coverage across day, swing, and night shifts.
Task forces are assessing and preparing structures and are positioned to provide point protection if fire activity begins threatening homes or other structures.
The structural protection group is divided into East and West operational areas. Current efforts are focused primarily around Saddle Mountain and Elde Road, extending south through Sprague River and including Skeen Ranch Road and Bliss Road.
Fire officials say crews remain focused on protecting local communities, surrounding resources, and critical infrastructure while continuing suppression operations.
Briefing Map: The August 8 briefing map shows the 19,290 acre Wrights Spring Fire perimeter, operational divisions, completed and planned fire lines, staging areas, and surrounding access routes between Chiloquin and Sprague River. See the latest official Wrights Spring Fire maps.
Hot and Dry Weather Continues
Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue Saturday.
Temperatures are forecast from the low 80s into the mid-90s, with relative humidity falling into the low to mid-teens. Winds are expected to remain light from the west before becoming gusty during the afternoon.
The conditions follow intense fire behavior Friday around Saddle Mountain, where crews were temporarily pulled from some areas because of increasing fire activity.
Smoke Plume: A large smoke column from the Wrights Spring Fire rises behind the Klamath County Fairgrounds as suppression operations continue east of Chiloquin. South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.
Shelters and Road Closure
A Red Cross emergency shelter remains available at Chiloquin Elementary School, 548 S. 2nd Ave., Chiloquin.
The Klamath County Fairgrounds is serving as a large animal shelter for horses. People needing assistance sheltering cattle can contact Maria Meister with Southern Oregon Emergency Aid at 831-235-3031.
Sprague River Road is closed between Nine Mile Road and Sprague River Drive.
The public is also being asked to avoid unnecessary travel around the fire, including Forest Service roads 5813, 5817, and 22, also known as Switchback Road, because of heavy firefighting traffic and ongoing suppression operations.
Smoke Column: Smoke from the Wrights Spring Fire rises beyond Nylox Ridge near Hegelstein Park as the fire continues burning east of Chiloquin in Klamath County. South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.
Temporary Flight Restriction
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect over the Wrights Spring Fire.
Drones are prohibited within the restricted area. Fire officials warn that unauthorized drone flights can interfere with firefighting aircraft and potentially force aerial suppression operations to stop.
Dozer Operator Killed
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday that Jason Ensign, 47, of Klamath Falls, was killed while operating a D-6 dozer during firefighting operations for Green Diamond Timber Resource Company.
Officials said rapid fire growth associated with a weather event cut off Ensign’s escape route while he was working near Yahwee Plateau. Jefferson Daily News has a separate report on Ensign’s death.
The Wrights Spring Fire was detected Wednesday afternoon in the Fremont-Winema National Forest. Its cause remains under investigation.
Extreme Fire Behavior / Cover Photo: Intense fire activity on the Wrights Spring Fire sends a large smoke column above the landscape as crews continue suppression operations east of Chiloquin. Nancy Jones, Northwest Team 8.
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