OSFM Begins Demobilizing as Crews Prep Firing Operation
Evacuations ease as crews continue securing the fire perimeter.
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name:
Wrights Spring Fire
Location:
2 miles west of Sprague River, Oregon
Size: 53,388 acres
Containment: 9%
Personnel: 943
Evacuations:
25 Level 3 zones
33 Level 2 zones
39 Level 1 zones
Expected to begin reducing soon, check your zone.
Command:
Northwest Team 8 / OSFM Green Team
Activity:
Crews continue securing much of the perimeter while preparing control lines along the south and southwest for a potential firing operation. OSFM structure protection resources are working their final shift as the direct threat to structures continues to decline.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Structure protection resources assigned to the Wrights Spring Fire are entering their final shift Saturday as the threat to homes continues to decline and firefighters prepare portions of the southern perimeter for a potential firing operation.
The fire is now mapped at 53,388 acres and 9% contained with 943 personnel assigned. Overnight crews continued securing established lines around much of the incident, while firefighters on the south and southwest worked to improve containment lines between Hildebrand Road, Swan Lake, and Swan Lake Point.
Fire officials say much of the north and east sides continues to look increasingly secure. Night resources are being removed from some areas where crews have reached a point that daytime patrol and mop-up are sufficient.
The remaining challenge is concentrated largely along the south and southwest, where crews are preparing control lines that could be used for firing operations designed to bring the fire’s edge to locations where firefighters can more safely and effectively hold it.
CREWS PREPARE SOUTHERN LINES FOR POSSIBLE FIRING
Preparation continues from Hildebrand Road west toward Swan Lake and north toward the Swan Lake Point communication site.
Operations Section Chief Ben Curtis said crews are improving roads, dozer lines, and other control features so they are ready if conditions allow firefighters to conduct a firing operation.
The goal would be to remove unburned fuels between the existing fire and prepared containment lines, bringing the active edge into an area where crews have a better opportunity to control it.
Division F and Division G crews will continue improving the depth and strength of that preparation Saturday, while firefighters in Division H work around Edgewood Mountain and toward Swan Lake Point.
A contingency group is also completing additional line that could be used if primary containment efforts are unsuccessful.
Heat Detections: Satellite heat detections from Aug. 15 show the strongest current activity concentrated along the southern tip and western portions of the Wrights Spring Fire, while much of the larger burn footprint shows little or no recent heat. NIFC Emergency Geospatial Portal.
NORTH AND EAST More SECURE As OSFM Preps For Final Shift
Firefighters continue reporting good progress across the northern and eastern portions of the Wrights Spring Fire.
Around Saddle Mountain, crews observed some interior burning overnight, but established lines continued to hold. Firefighters are expanding mop-up depth and securing the perimeter through Divisions R and X.
In Division C, overnight crews continued strengthening the edge and building on work completed by daytime resources.
Conditions there have improved enough that dedicated night-shift resources are being removed from the division. Other crews will continue evening patrols, but the area will primarily be staffed during the day.
Firefighters from Skeen Ranch Road to Bliss Road are also continuing to increase mop-up depth and secure established line.
Saturday will be the final shift for Oregon State Fire Marshal structure protection resources assigned to the Wrights Spring Fire.
OSFM Structure Operations Chief Brent Olson said the reduction reflects the decreased direct threat to homes and other structures around the incident.
Two remaining task forces will work Saturday, divided between a north group around LD Road and Sprague River and a south group covering Bly Mountain and Swan Lake.
Those crews will patrol areas near structures and remain available as surge resources if conditions change or new fires are reported outside the Wrights Spring Fire perimeter.
OSFM resources have spent the past several days assessing and preparing homes, protecting critical infrastructure, and positioning engines where structures faced the greatest potential threat.
INTERNATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS JOIN THE INCIDENT
International Support: Firefighters from Australia and New Zealand prepare radios with the Oregon State Fire Marshal communications team before heading to assignments on the Wrights Spring Fire. Oregon State Fire Marshal.
Firefighters from Australia and New Zealand are now among the resources assigned to the Wrights Spring Fire.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal said communications personnel helped the international firefighters prepare their radios before crews received their briefing and headed to assignments.
More than 300 specialists from Australia and New Zealand have traveled to the Northwest at the request of the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group to assist with wildfire response. Their specialties include aviation operations, fireline leadership, prevention and mitigation, and emergency communications.
The group now working on the Wrights Spring Fire previously served on the Castle Fire on the Umpqua National Forest, making this their second assignment in Oregon.
FIREFIGHTERS HONOR JASON ENSIGN
In Honor of Jason Ensign / Cover Photo: A dozer carries a tribute to fallen operator Jason Ensign, who died while working on the Wrights Spring Fire. Northwest Team 8.
Saturday morning’s fire briefing began with a moment of silence for Jason Ensign, the dozer operator who died while working on the Wrights Spring Fire.
Fire officials said their thoughts remain with Ensign’s family, friends, and fellow firefighters as they gather Saturday to honor his life and service.
A memorial service for Ensign is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday.
Read more about the memorial for Jason Ensign and Oregon’s tribute to the fallen dozer operator.
EVACUATION LEVELS BEGIN TO EASE
Evacuation zones remain widespread across southern Klamath County, but the latest map shows fewer areas under Level 3 orders as conditions improve around portions of the incident.
As of Saturday morning:
25 zones remain at Level 3 (GO NOW)
33 zones are at Level 2 (Be Set)
39 zones are at Level 1 (Be Ready)
That represents a decrease in Level 3 zones compared with Friday, as some areas transition to lower evacuation levels.
Residents should continue checking their individual address through Genasys Protect. Evacuation boundaries and levels can change as suppression operations progress.
View the latest Wrights Spring Fire evacuation information and live map.
SMOKE REMAINS ACROSS THE KLAMATH BASIN
Smoke continues affecting portions of the Klamath Basin, although air quality is generally expected to range from good to moderate Saturday.
Klamath Falls is forecast to begin the day with moderate smoke before conditions improve later in the afternoon. Chiloquin is expected to remain mostly moderate, with areas directly north of the Wrights Spring Fire potentially experiencing periods unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The latest smoke outlook says Wrights Spring Fire activity is expected to remain active despite improving containment.
WEATHER TURNS WARMER AND DRIER
Morning clouds are expected to give way to mostly sunny conditions Saturday afternoon.
Temperatures are forecast in the upper 70s along ridges and the low 80s in valleys, with relative humidity between 21% and 24%.
Warm conditions and light winds are expected through the weekend.
SHELTERS AND CLOSURES
Red Cross shelters remain open at Chiloquin Elementary School, 548 S. 2nd Ave. in Chiloquin, and Living Springs Fellowship, 31897 Mission St. in Bonanza. Small animals may accompany evacuees.
Large animal sheltering remains available through Southern Oregon Emergency Aid at the Klamath County Fairgrounds.
Bliss Road remains closed from Petersteiner Road to Sprague River. Fire officials continue asking the public to avoid unnecessary travel around the incident because of ongoing suppression activity.
The Fremont-Winema National Forest emergency closure surrounding much of the Wrights Spring Fire remains in effect.
A Temporary Flight Restriction also remains over the fire. Unauthorized drones can interfere with and potentially ground aerial firefighting operations.
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