August 25, 2023 10:45 a.m.
Crews with the Douglas Forest Protective Association are actively engaged in thirteen confirmed fires as of mid-morning Friday, following a lightning storm that moved across the Douglas District Thursday night beginning at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Public Information Officer Rachel Pope said the storm brought a confirmed sixty-five strikes. Pope said all county fire agencies have been actively engaged in lightning reconnaissance since the storm started.
Most confirmed fires are on the west side of the district with a few on the east side. Pope said moisture early Friday is helping to keep fire activity low.
The fires include:
*High Power Fire in the Steamboat/Canton Creek area is estimated to be between forty and fifty acres. It is located in the Umpqua National Forest in an area of mutually shared protection. The fire is staffed with DFPA, UNF and landowner resources.
*Rattlesnake Ridge and Cougar Creek fires are in the Umpqua area near Hubbard Creek with the largest estimated to be between fifteen and twenty acres. These fires are heavily staffed with DFPA and contract crews.
*Tyee Mountain fires are made up of three fires, located in the Tyee Mountain area, with the largest estimated to be between seven and ten acres. These fires are heavily staffed. Smoke from the fires is highly visible in the area.
*Big Dutchman, Soldier Creek and Woods Creek/Windy Creek fires are in the southern part of the district with active engagement. The largest of these fires is estimated to between two and two and a half acres. Aerial reconnaissance was attempted early Friday morning, however fog and drift smoke caused limited visibility, grounding the DFPA plane until safe visibility returns.
Pope said along with DFPA’s fully staffed crews, multiple resources are on order. This includes hand crews, engines, tenders, fallers and dozers. Regional resources, including landowner resources are heavily active and engaged.
As of mid-morning, no structures are threatened by these fires.
Fire season information is at www.dfpa.net