Rain Gives Wrights Spring Fire Crews a Break as Structure Protection Scales Back
Northern structure protection moves into patrol as crews reinforce southern lines and prepare for possible lightning starts.
FAST FIRE FACTS
Name:
Wrights Spring Fire
Location:
2 miles west of Sprague River, Oregon
Size: 53,061 acres
Containment: 6%
Personnel: 961
Evacuations:
Multiple evacuation levels remain in effect across southern Klamath County.
Command:
Northwest Team 8 and OSFM Green Team
Activity:
Overnight rain moderated fire conditions, allowing crews to reinforce existing lines while containment work continues along the south and southwest portions of the fire. Structure protection resources are being consolidated as northern areas move further into patrol status.
Heat Detections: Satellite heat detections from Aug. 14 show the strongest current activity concentrated along the south and southwest portions of the Wrights Spring Fire, while much of the larger burn footprint shows little or no recent heat. NIFC Emergency Geospatial Portal.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Overnight rain helped moderate conditions across the Wrights Spring Fire, giving firefighters an opportunity Friday to strengthen control lines before warmer and drier weather returns.
The fire is now mapped at 53,061 acres with 6% containment and 961 personnel assigned. Most of the overnight rain fell across the northern portion of the incident, where increasingly secure firelines are allowing structure protection resources to be reduced and consolidated.
Fire officials cautioned that the break may be temporary. Fuels are expected to dry through the afternoon, and fire activity could increase as temperatures rise and winds strengthen.
Crews will continue working around the perimeter Friday, with the most significant line construction remaining along the south and southwest sides of the fire near Hildebrand Road, Egert Road, Swan Lake, and Swan Lake Point.
RAIN MODERATES FIRE CONDITIONS
Night crews remained on the Wrights Spring Fire as rain moved through the area, but some resources pulled back to main gravel roads as smaller roads became slick.
Operations Section Chief Ben Curtis said the moisture helped moderate fire conditions and should provide crews with a window to complete and reinforce control lines before the fire dries out again.
On the north side near Saddle Mountain, crews continue securing and reinforcing established lines through Divisions R and X.
Farther south, firefighters are increasing mop-up depth from Skeen Ranch Road toward Bliss Road and checking previously completed firing operations around Hildebrand and Egert roads.
SOUTHWEST LINE WORK CONTINUES
Crews continue working to close remaining gaps along the southern and southwest portions of the fire.
Heavy equipment and hand crews are building primary containment line east of Swan Lake Road, while firefighters are improving roads and identifying dozer-line locations that can connect work around Swan Lake with Division G west of Swan Lake Point.
Crews along the western side of the incident will continue reinforcing and mopping up fireline toward Division R.
Aircraft are also available Friday to support firefighters on the ground and conduct reconnaissance.
Active Fire: The Wrights Spring Fire glows across the landscape at night, viewed from near Highway 140. Photo by Christopher Trotchie.
STRUCTURE RESOURCES BEGIN TO SCALE BACK
Oregon State Fire Marshal crews are beginning to reduce and consolidate structure protection resources as conditions improve around several communities.
Structure Operations Chief Brent Olson said the previous structure protection groups are being consolidated into north and south groups.
The entire north group is moving into patrol status as more secure fireline is established. Residents may notice fewer structure protection engines in those areas, but crews will remain engaged and continue checking areas affected by the fire.
On the south side, structure protection resources remain available around communities and other values at risk. Those crews will also serve as surge resources if lightning from Thursday night produces new fire starts nearby.
Fire officials said current weather conditions remain favorable and that homes, infrastructure, and other identified values at risk are looking well protected.
Utility Work: Crews work along utility lines in an area impacted by the Wrights Spring Fire as recovery and fire operations continue. Northwest Team 8
CREWS PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Fire officials say suppression work continues to focus on protecting communities from Chiloquin and Sprague River south toward Bly Mountain.
Crews are also working to protect Highway 140, gas and power infrastructure, a fiber optic line, and cultural resources within and around the fire area.
Resource advisors are working alongside firefighters to identify cultural sites and help ensure suppression work does not unnecessarily damage those areas.
Historic structures and other priority properties along the southern portion of the incident have also been prepared to improve their defensibility if fire conditions increase.
Lightning Storm / Cover Image: Lightning illuminates storm clouds near the Wrights Spring Fire as thunderstorms move across southern Klamath County. Photo by Christopher Trotchie.
LIGHTNING ADDS ANOTHER CONCERN
Thursday night’s thunderstorms brought beneficial rain to portions of the Wrights Spring Fire, but lightning also creates the possibility of new fires across the region.
OSFM structure resources assigned to the southern group will remain available to assist local firefighters if holdover fires from the storm are discovered.
Friday’s forecast calls for increasing clouds and the possibility of isolated afternoon showers or thunderstorms, although little to no additional precipitation is expected.
Humidity is forecast to remain above 25%, with ridgetop temperatures in the mid 70s and valley temperatures in the low 80s. Warm and breezy conditions are expected Friday and Saturday.
COMMUNITY BRIEFINGS POSTPONED
Two pop-up community briefings planned for Friday evening in Sprague River and Bonanza have been postponed.
Fire officials cited progress on the Wrights Spring Fire, potential initial-attack responsibilities following the lightning storm, and preparations for Saturday’s procession and memorial for fallen dozer operator Jason Ensign.
Instead, fire officials plan to release a recorded community briefing at 5 p.m. Friday through the Wrights Spring Fire Facebook page. Public information officers will also continue updating fire information boards in communities surrounding the incident.
MEMORIAL SERVICE SATURDAY FOR JASON ENSIGN
A public memorial service for fallen dozer operator Jason Ensign will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Henley High School in Klamath Falls. The day will begin with a procession leading to the school, and more than 350 people are expected to attend.
Ensign, 47, died Aug. 6 while helping crews build fireline ahead of the Wrights Spring Fire. Rapid fire growth cut off his escape route while he was operating a dozer for Green Diamond Resource Company.
A GoFundMe organized by a family friend is also raising money to help Ensign’s family with burial expenses. The fundraiser describes him as a proud “girl dad.”
Read more about Saturday’s memorial and Oregon’s tribute to Jason Ensign.
EVACUATIONS REMAIN IN EFFECT
Multiple evacuation levels remain in effect across southern Klamath County.
Residents should continue checking their specific address through Genasys Protect because evacuation levels may change as suppression work progresses.
SHELTERS AND CLOSURES
Red Cross emergency 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 at the Klamath County Fairgrounds through Southern Oregon Emergency Aid.
Sprague River Road remains closed from milepost 9 to Sprague River Drive. Bliss Road remains closed from Petersteiner Road to Sprague River.
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 incident. Unauthorized drones can interfere with and potentially ground aerial firefighting operations.
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