July 19, 2021 11:50 a.m.

The Jack Fire, burning on the Umpqua National Forest, is 50 percent contained with an increase in acreage.

An update from Northwest Incident Management Team 9 said the fire is at 17,994 acres. 763 people are working on the fire incident.

Public Information Officer Mary Nordeen said there is increased fire traffic on Highway 138E. Drivers are asked to follow posted speed limits.

North of Highway 138E, along the north flank, firefighters have deepened the control line, and are continuing mop-up and securing control line. On the eastern flank, crews are working to complete burnout operations for increased depth of fire lines. Fallers are removing snags and at-risk trees to make roads safe to travel. Crews continue to monitor fire behavior along the North Umpqua River.

South of Highway 138E, firefighters have prepared control lines and burned vegetation to create a secure control line on the west and southwest flanks. On the south and southeast flank, crews are utilizing heavy equipment and fallers to clear and brush out roads used as control lines. The update said crews will also be scouting for alternative lines to tie into existing hand line. Contingency line construction will continue with the primary focus to utilize existing roads as much as possible. Fallers plan to remove snags and put in shaded fuel breaks.

Crews continue to mop-up and patrol around structures in the Dry Creek area and around Horseshoe Bend Campground.

Evacuation locations and levels set last Wednesday, remain in place.