September 17, 2020 11:30 a.m.

It’s a time of transition for the Archie Creek Fire, burning east of Glide, with a change in the weather and a change in team leadership.

The latest update from Northwest Incident Management Team 9 said a weather system moving inland from the coast has brought higher humidity to the area. Showers and thunderstorms are predicted for Thursday afternoon and evening. Gusty winds, small hail and heavy rainfall are possible.

The current incident management team will turn the management of the fire over to the Southern Area Red team on Friday. The teams are currently working together to ensure a seamless transition. That affects only a small number of people working on the fire. Crews and other on-the-ground personnel remain.

The update said fire activity picked up Wednesday evening along the southeastern portion of the fire, in the Little River area. The activity was within the fire line near E-mile Creek where it reaches Little River Road. Firefighters worked there into the night and structure protection resources are on site.

On the far eastern portion of the fire, crews are working to hold the fire on Panther Creek Road. North of Highway 138E in the Steamboat area, firefighters are working to keep the fire west of Canton Creek Road. Contract crews and members of the National Guard continue mopping up hot spots near both containment lines and structures in those areas.

Air resources were unable to fly on Wednesday, due to thick smoke.

Highway 138E remains closed to all non-fire traffic starting four miles east of Glide and continuing to the junction with Oregon 230.

The fire has burned over 128,000 acres and is 2 percent contained.