August 28, 2023 4:20 a.m.
The Tyee Ridge Complex Fires, burning twenty miles northwest of Roseburg, have topped 2,000 acres and are 5 percent contained.
An update from the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office Red Team said crews saw active fire behavior on Sunday. The Cougar Creek and Rattlesnake Ridge fires on the southwest side of the complex grew together Saturday night and crossed Hubbard Creek Road. The combined fire is now known as the Cougar Creek Fire. Two task forces worked to protect structures in this area and line was established around five spot fires. No structures have been destroyed. The four fires in the Lighthouse area merged into two and showed some uphill runs and spotting. One task force completed structure protection on Lighthouse Road and moved to the Tyee Mountain Fire east of Fanchin Lane. The Tyee Mountain Fire became active in the late afternoon. Helicopters assisted by dropping water. To the north, efforts continued to hold and improve line on the Big Tom Fire.
Firefighters and equipment continued arriving Sunday from around the nation with many national resources. Two additional Oregon State Fire Marshal structural task forces arrived from Clatsop and Yamhill County. A total of seven task forces are currently engaged in structure protection. 656 people are assigned to the complex.
Challenges for firefighters include steep terrain, rolling material, snags, and limited road access. Dry fuels and topography are driving fire behavior. Twelve helicopters are in use, but heavy smoke and low visibility has not allowed for fixed wing aircraft.
Sunday afternoon, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office issued a new Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation notice for Tee Road at the intersection with Rock Creek Road to Fanchin Lane to include all residences in between. All other evacuation notices remain unchanged. A total of 72 structures are under Level 3 – Go Now evacuation orders. 37 structures are at a Level 2- Be Set, and 38 are at Level 1 – Be Ready. An estimated 125 people have evacuated. A Red Cross shelter for evacuees is at Oakland Elementary School on Northeast Spruce Street in Oakland. To shelter livestock, contact the Douglas County Fairgrounds at 957-7010. Companion pets can be sheltered at Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center in Winchester. To view the current evacuation map, go to: www.dcso.com/evacuations.
The Tyee Ridge Complex management teams will have a community meeting Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Roseburg Country Club on Garden Valley Road.
Tyee Ridge Complex updates are available at: https://www.facebook.com/tyeeridgecomplex