The Milepost 97 Fire is nearing 11,700 acres and is 10 percent contained.
An update from the Oregon Department of Forestry said the fire, which was caused by an escaped campfire, has already cost $3 million to fight with 1,044 firefighters now involved in the fire suppression effort. Over 200 other staff are involved in dealing with the fire as well.
Monday morning Incident Commander Link Smith told firefighters “today’s a great day for opportunity”. That opportunity is the weather according to the update. A marine layer is expected to enter the area bringing cooler temperatures, some cloud cover and elevated humidity. The update said those conditions should allow fire crews closer access to the fire’s edge and the ability to perform burn out operations that remove forest fuels between established control lines and the main fire.
The fire continues to head south at a slow pace, paralleling Interstate Five. Firefighters and aircraft are focusing much of the suppression effort on the south portion of the fire to prevent it from spreading further towards nearby communities. Nearly 600 structures are currently under level one, level two or level three evacuation notifications. Crews are continuing to construct contingency control lines along ridges and existing road systems to the west of the fire.
Early Monday morning a firefighter was struck by rolling debris. That person was evaluated and treated on the scene before being transported by air to Rogue Valley Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment. The firefighter has since been released.