The Milepost 97 Fire is 45% contained with no new acreage growth as of Saturday morning.
The latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry said firefighters had another successful day on Friday as they completed fire lines around the entire perimeter of the fire. The fire remains at 13,085 acres.
Pre-identified initial attack resources on the Milepost 97 Fire, including both air and ground resources, were sent to the East Evans Fire which began Friday evening on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District.
The update said with containment lines in place, resources working on the Milepost 97 Fire will now focus their energy on mopping up hot spots around the perimeter of the fire to ensure that it doesn’t escape containment. Crews will start at the edge of the fire, extinguishing all smokes and smoldering material within the first 20 to 50 feet of containment lines before pushing farther into the black. Firefighters will utilize handheld infrared cameras to help pinpoint hotspots in these areas that need to be extinguished.
The burned footprint of the fire is around 20 miles, which is twice the size of the city of Roseburg. That means smoke from the fire may be visible for the coming days.
1,514 personnel are dealing with the fire. That includes 60 hand crews, 47 engines, 26 dozers, 32 water tenders, 14 helicopters and more.
The Milepost 97 Fire has cost $13 million to fight so far.