August 31, 2023 4:00 a.m.
Firefighters have been working with very active fire behavior on the Cougar Creek and Lighthouse Fires, part of the Tyee Ridge Complex, burning 20 miles northwest of Roseburg.
The complex is now listed at 4,770 acres and 5 percent contained. 1,307 people are assigned to the fire.
An update from Northwest Incident Management Team 1 and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Red Team said fire behavior is expected to remain active until cooler conditions and light showers arrive Thursday. On Wednesday, firefighters controlled a number of spot fires that crossed containment lines, and worked to extend lines and build backup ones. Water and retardant drops continued to support ground operations in areas of steep and inaccessible terrain. Single-engine air tankers and helicopters worked closely with heavy equipment operators and hand crews. Among the aircraft were two Chinook CH47 helicopters from the Oregon Air National Guard.
To the north, the Big Tom Fire saw more active fire, while there was increased mop up on the Hardscrabble, Blue Hole and Yellow Point Fires, which are moving toward patrol status in the coming days. Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces worked around structures, installing sprinkler kits along Hubbard Creek, Briarwood Road and the Lighthouse community. They have continued to be integrated with Oregon Department of Forestry crews to assist in cutting lines and protecting threatened homes.
Crews remain focused on digging hand line, attacking any spot fires that cross lines, and addressing slopovers. Crews will conduct tactical firing operations where possible to remove fuels between control lines and the fire’s edge.
On Wednesday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office raised evacuation levels in two areas to Level 3- Go Now, and put two other areas on a Level 2-Get Set status. Two new Level 1 – Be Prepared evacuation areas were also announced. An estimated 197 people have evacuated. View the current evacuation map at: www.dcso.com/evacuations. No structures have been damaged or destroyed. The Red Cross Shelter for evacuees remains open at The Way Church on East Central Avenue in Sutherlin.
Updates on the Tyee Ridge Complex are linked: https://www.facebook.com/tyeeridgecomplex