ARCHIE CREEK FIRE 59 PERCENT CONTAINED

September 25,2020 10:10 a.m.

The Archie Creek Fire, burning east of Glide is 59 percent contained, with a slight increase in acreage burned to 131,642 acres.

An update said the change in acreage is due to better mapping.

Operations Chief Mark Jamieson said the rain had a good effect on the fire. With minimal fire behavior on Thursday, firefighters mopped up at least 100 feet from fire lines into the fire in most area, and deeper than that where necessary. Containment increased as firefighters are confident that fire lines at the southeast flank of the fire next to a 2017 fire scar, will hold. A warm front is expected to drop about another inch of rain on the fire through Saturday. That weather may prevent aircraft from flying.

Fire behavior analyst trainee Mike Ward said the moisture is driving down the potential for fire spread. That will help hand crews build fire lines directly to the fire’s edge in areas to the south, southeast and east flanks of the fire where burnable vegetation is between the fire’s edge and containment lines. Crews will also remove hazard trees along the Rock Creek Road corridor to make it safe for travel. Crews with the Oregon Department of Transportation continue to remove trees along Highway 138E.

The update said smoldering will continue because large stumps and logs still hold heat and take a long time to absorb water. Reduced fire behavior will help firefighters detect smoke from the larger burning materials and mop up hot spots that could threaten the line once conditions become warmer and drier. Firefighters are mopping up all around the fire.

1,093 people are still working on the fire.