July 22, 2022 4:10 a.m.

Snags remain a safety concern as mop-up continues on the Cheney Creek Fire, located on Marble Mountain south of Wilderville, in rural Josephine County.

Public Information Officer Natalie Weber of the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District said crews are now mopping in 25-50 feet into the perimeter.

Weber said Thursday was not without its challenges however. Late in the afternoon, a fallen snag caused a break in the fire line, which grew to an additional 1.5-acre fire, bringing the total to an estimated 30 acres. Firefighters were able to re-line the newly burned area with the help of aerial support from a Type 1 and two Type 2 helicopters and an air attack platform. Weber said investigators were also on scene Thursday, continuing their work to determine the cause of the fire.

Thursday night, three 20-person crews, four engines, one water tender, and one tree faller were assigned to the fire with the goal of mopping in to the 100-foot mark into the perimeter.

The Cheney Creek Fire was first reported at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday by the ODF Southwest Oregon District Detection Center. The fire is burning on Bureau of Land Management and private land.

Fire season information is available at: www.swofire.com.