September 9, 2019 3:50 a.m.
37 confirmed fires have been found on the Umpqua National Forest, following last Thursday’s lightning storm.
Mark Turney of the Forest Service said firefighters responded to more than 40 smoke reports over the weekend. Turney said many of the confirmed fires have been reported as controlled and are in patrol status while others are being actively managed by firefighters.
Riva Duncan, Fire Staff Officer said that firefighters have worked incredibly hard. She said due to their hard work and moderate weather, all of the fires have been held to less than one acre in size.
Crews are working to get access to several smoke reports from deep within the forest where access is limited and difficult terrain hampers easy travel. Duncan said they were hoping to get a team of rappelers into some of the areas but were hampered by the weather.
Cooler temperatures are predicted for the next week with a slight period of drying on Wednesday and Thursday.
Firefighting resources currently assigned to the forest include 2 ambulances, 1 type 1 crew, 8 engines, 3 type 2 1a crews, 3 felling bosses, 3 faller modules and 3 water tenders.
For more information on public and industrial fire restrictions, go to www.fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua.