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Check here for information on fires in our region. You can also check out these resources:Northwest Interagency Coordination CenterSWOFIRE: Oregon Department of Forestry, SW regionCalFire: Current Fire InformationInciWeb: Incident Information SystemOregon Smoke Blog: Smoke informationSouth Central Oregon Fire Management Cooperative (Klamath/Lake Counties & Crater Lake)

Cable Crossing Fire "Winding Down"

Kyle Reed/DFPA

FINAL UPDATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 9:00 A.M. ...  The size of the fire is 1,857 acres and is now 80 percent contained. The fire is expected to be fully contained by Wednesday, August 12.

Oregon Department of Forestry’s Type 1 Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Link Smith, handed the fire over to a smaller type 3 organization this morning. The Team would like to again thank the Glide community for their kind hospitality and support during our stay.

 

UPDATE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 9:45 A.M. ... Managers of the Cable Crossing Fire near Glide, Oregon say they're pleased by the effectiveness of mop up operations. The fire is now 50 percent contained.  

Conditions are expected to be warm and dry, with gusty winds and temperatures into the upper 80s. This is what firefighters call “heads up” weather, because a critical point has been reached in the fire operation where the weather mixed with the burned forest fuels create a potentially dangerous environment of falling trees and other hazards. Fire crews remain cautious as they continue to mop up. 

The current acreage for the fire is at 1,848. The fire area and forest roads remain closed to the public. Highway 138 remains open with the aid of a pilot car.
 
Last night’s Open House at the Glide Fire Station was well attended by members of the community. About 40 people came by throughout the evening to talk to fire managers and express their gratitude. 
 
Fire At A Glance
 
Size: 1,848 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment:  50%
Expected Containment:  unknown
 
Crews and Equipment:  
Crews:   39
Helicopters:   5
Engines:   22
Dozers:   4
Water Tenders:   6
Total personnel: 1,037
Estimated Cost to Date: $6,300,000
 
For More Information: 
541-496-0902
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/ 
www.oregon.gov/odf
https://www.facebook.com/CableCrossingFire
#cablecrossingfire
 
UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 9:45 A.M. ... Several days of favorable weather conditions have allowed fire crews to get a solid handle on the Cable Crossing fire near Glide, Oregon. Firefighters are now deep into mop-up operations, and some crews and heavy equipment are being released to other active fires in the region. All evacuation notices have been lifted.

The fire has been held to about 1,800 acres. It's currently 40 percent contained.

Mop up remains the focus of both the day and night shifts. That involves methodically putting a lot of water on hot spots and digging out stump holes and roots to extinguish any remaining fire. Firefighters literally use their bare hands to test for residual heat.

Evacuation notices in the vicinity of the Cable Crossing Fire (Little River Road and along Highway 138 near Evergreen Lane) have been lifted. However, fire area and forest roads remain closed to the public. Highway 138 remains open with the aid of flaggers.

As the fire winds down, the Fire Team invites community residents to a Cable Crossing Fire Open House between 7-8 pm Wednesday, August 5 at the Glide Fire Station. Members of the Fire Team will be available to explain maps of the fire. Volunteers from the Red Cross will hand out cold drinks, snacks and emergency preparedness information.

 

Fire At A Glance

Size: 1800 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 40%
Expected Containment: unknown
Crews and Equipment: 
Crews: 2 - Type 1
44 - Type 2
Air Tankers: 2 Tankers
3 SEATS (Single Engine Air Tanker)
Helicopters: 3 - Type 1 (Heavy Lift)
5 - Type 2 (Med Lift)
4 – Type 3 (Light Lift)
Engines: 32
Dozers: 10
Hot Saw: 1 
Water Tenders: 12
Total personnel: 1355
Estimated Cost to Date: $3,200,000
For More Information: 
541-496-0902
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/ 
www.oregon.gov/odf
https://www.facebook.com/CableCrossingFire
http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=smoke.index
#cablecrossingfire

 

UPDATE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 10:20 A.M. ... Fire officials report Monday was a successful day on the Cable Crossing Fire. The mop up operations allowed firefighters to tighten their grip on the fire, the perimeter of the fire showed no growth. The fire is now at 1,819 acres and 30 percent contained.

“We’ve turned a corner,” said Incident Commander Link Smith when talking to firefighters at Tuesday morning’s briefing. “You’ve secured the perimeter around the fire and kept the footprint amazingly small.”

With temperatures expected in the mid-80s, crews expect to gain more ground as the cool and dry weather permits continued mop up operations. Mop up is a methodical process to completely extinguish a wildfire. Fire crews put water on the fire, fall snags, dig out smoldering stumps, and move logs so they won’t roll downhill. Mop up is like putting your camp fire dead out, only on a huge scale. 

Fire officials say anticipated gusty afternoon winds may increase smoke in the surrounding area.
 
 
UPDATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 12:15 P.M. ... After days of playing defense on the Cable Crossing Fire, on Sunday firefighters took advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity to go on the offensive.

In this case, playing offense meant building and strengthening containment lines, getting water to the fire, and conducting burnout operations on small patches.

The fire is now completely trailed and estimated at 1,674 acres and 20 percent contained.

“Crew bosses are hopeful they took the fight out of the fire,” said Incident Commander Link Smith. “We’re confident we’ll continue to make great strides toward containing the fire,” continued Smith.

The optimism is not without its precaution, however. Crews plan to be flexible Monday as the weather shifts to warmer temperatures and dryer conditions. Temperatures may reach the 90s and there is a chance of thunderstorms.

As a precautionary measure, the Level 1 (READY) evacuation notice remains in effect on Little River Road from the Peel Store to the Wolf Creek Trail Head and along Highway 138 in the vicinity of Evergreen Lane to Honeycut Road.

The fire area and forest roads remain closed to the public. Highway 138 remains open with the aid of a pilot car.

Fire At A Glance

Size: 1,674 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 20%
Expected Containment: unknown
Crews and Equipment: 
Crews: 2 - Type 1
44 - Type 2
Air Tankers: 2 Tankers
3 SEATS (Single Engine Air Tanker)
Helicopters: 6 - Type 1 (Heavy Lift)
5 - Type 2 (Med Lift)
4 – Type 3 (Light Lift)
Engines: 32
Dozers: 10
Hot Saw: 1
Water Tenders: 12
Total personnel: 1250
Estimated Cost to Date: $2,500,000
For More Information: 
541-496-0902
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/ 
www.oregon.gov/odf

https://www.facebook.com/CableCrossingFire
#cablecrossingfire

 
UPDATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 10:30 A.M. ...  Commanders on the Cable Crossing fire near Glide, Oregon say a break in the weather gives firefighters an opening Sunday to aggressively attack the fire and gain ground on it. 

The weather, that has routinely provided temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, will bring mid to high level cloud cover that will reduce the active fire behavior firefighters have been challenged with since they arrived.

The fire is currently 1,148 acres and 15 percent contained. 

The word of the day at this morning’s Cable Crossing fire briefing was “opportunity”. While weather conditions over the first four days of the fire presented extreme fire behavior conditions, today's lower temperatures, higher humidity and calmer winds will allow crews to use a more aggressive approach in efforts to halt the fire spread.

The focus remains the south portion of the fire that has been pushed by a predominately north wind since it started Tuesday afternoon. Crews will seize the break in the weather by using established dozer and hand lines to burn out in small chunks. Several small burnout operations will take place throughout the fire perimeter to reduce ground fuels and ultimately keep the fire from jumping established containment lines.

“We still have a lot of work in front of us,” said ODF Incident Management Team 3 Commander Link Smith. “But with the break in the weather, today will be a day of accomplishment.”

 

A Level 1 Evacuation Notification remains in effect along Little River Road from the Peel Store to the Wolf Creek Trail Head. A Level 1 also remains in effect for homes along Highway 138 in the vicinity of Evergreen Lane to Honeycut Road. For more information on evacuation notification levels and Ready, Set, Go, visitwww.wildlandfirersg.org .

 

The fire area and forest roads remain closed to the public. Highway 138 remains open with the aid of a pilot car.

Fire At A Glance

Size: 1,148 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 15%
Expected Containment: unknown
Crews and Equipment: 
Crews: 2 - Type 1; 39 - Type 2
Air Tankers: 2 Tankers; 3 SEATS (Single Engine Air Tanker)
Helicopters: 6 - Type 1 (Heavy Lift); 5 - Type 2 (Med Lift); 4 – Type 3 (Light Lift)
Engines: 10
Dozers: 4
Hot Saw: 1
Water Tenders: 10
Total personnel: 1212
Estimated Cost to Date: $1,500,000
For More Information: 
541-496-0902
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/ 
www.oregon.gov/odf

https://www.facebook.com/CableCrossingFire
#cablecrossingfire

UPDATE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 10:40 A.M. ... Very high temperatures, erratic winds, dry fuels and steep terrain combined to produce extreme fire behavior on the Cable Crossing fire Friday afternoon. Although the fire size remained stable throughout the night at 1,110 acres, last night’s smoke column generated a few new spot fires to the south of the main fire that firefighters quickly responded to. The fire remains 15 percent contained.

Fire fighters are facing these same conditions today. A Red Flag Warning is in place with the forecast calling for afternoon winds, temperatures near 95, low humidity and a chance of thunderstorms—all of which make for very active fire behavior and hampers the efforts to slow the fire’s advance. 

Firefighters are using bulldozers, helicopters and retardant dropping air tankers to harden contingency lines with hopes of conducting burnout operations under favorable conditions in the next couple of days. These tactics will eliminate fuels between control lines and the head of the fire, which will take away the fire’s momentum.
 
The fire is burning on private and public lands in the heart of the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic Corridor six miles east of Glide. While private landowners have closed their holdings to the public, Bureau of Land Management has also imposed a fire area closure. Highway 138 remains open. Forest roads remain closed in and around the fire area. 
 
In the Ready, Set, Go or 1, 2, 3 evacuation level system, a Level 1 “Ready” notification remains in place from the Peel Store to the Wolf Creek Trail Head on Little River Road. As indicated, a Level 1 Evacuation notification encourages those affected to be ready should the fire continue to move towards these areas. This making preparations and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, livestock and pets.
 
The Oregon Department of Forestry will be holding a community meeting Saturday evening at the Glide Fire Department at 7:00 p.m. where fire managers will provide information and answer questions. Residents from the local area are encouraged to attend.
 
In addition, Industrial Fire Precaution Level IV is in effect throughout the Douglas District that prohibits forest operations due to extreme fire danger. Public use restrictions, such as campfires, mowing of dry grass and off-road driving have also been tightened.

UPDATE: FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1:45 P.M. … The Cable Crossing Fire in Douglas County near Glide showed minimal growth overnight and is currently estimated at about 830 acres.

The fire containment is estimated at 15 percent. No homes are currently threatened.

Pushed by afternoon winds out of the north, the fire continues to test containment lines on the south end of the fire. A Level I evacuation notice (READY) has been put in place prompting some residents to be ready should the need arises to leave. The notice is only precautionary at this time.

Fire danger remains extreme with temperatures expected to rise over 100 degrees over the next several days and lightning predicted for the weekend. Conditions have taken their toll with several heat related injuries to firefighters.

The fire is burning on private and public lands in the heart of the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic Corridor six miles east of Glide. While private landowners have closed their holdings to the public, Bureau of Land Management has also imposed a fire area closure. Forest roads remain closed in and around the fire area.

In addition, Industrial Fire Precaution Level IV is in effect throughout the Douglas District that prohibits forest operations due to extreme fire danger. Public use restrictions, such campfires, mowing of dry grass and off-road driving have also been tightened.

Highway 138 is being managed by Oregon Department of Transportation, with a pilot car to escort traffic through the fire area.

Current resources on the fire include seven engines, 28 hand crews, five helicopters and six retardant dropping air tankers.

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/

www.oregon.gov/odf

UPDATE: THURSDAY, JULY 29, 10:00 A.M. ... Overnight, fire crews worked to build fire trails around the east side of the Cable Crossing fire where it escaped containment lines Wednesday afternoon.  As of Thursday morning, the fire is estimated at 600 acres. 

Approximately 500 firefighters will be on scene of the fire today.  No homes are currently threatened and no evacuations have been issued. 

The Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 (Incident Commander Link Smith) was dispatched and arrived at the Cable Crossing Fire this morning, and received their fire briefing from the Douglas Forest Protective Association. The Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire at 10:00 a.m. today. 

The Incident Command post for the Cable Crossing Fire will be established at the French Creek Ranch near Glide.

Fire information for the Cable Crossing incident can be found at:

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/
www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation
www.twitter.com/DouglasFPA

ORIGINAL POST: WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 10:47A.M. ... The Cable Crossing fire was reported on Tuesday afternoon, July 28, burning east of Glide near Highway 138 East, milepost 23. Spot fires were also detected across the highway and the North Umpqua River.

Firefighters made good progress overnight on the fire, with crews able to complete fire trail around about 90 percent of the fire last night despite fairly active fire behavior due to dry forest fuels and strong winds.  

Today (Wednesday morning), the fire is estimated as 10 percent contained, at approximately 270 acres. Firefighters will work today to complete fire trail and install hose lays around the fire. Helicopters and fixed wing observation aircraft are working the fire, and single engine air tankers are available if needed. There are about 180 firefighters working on the ground.

Due to heavy fire traffic in the area, along with hazard trees which need to be removed near the fire along Highway 138 East, the Oregon Department of Transportation still has the highway closed near the fire area.  Fire crews are working with ODOT to minimize the hazards along the highway before it is reopened for non-fire traffic.  

For more information about the Highway 138 East closure, visit www.tripcheck.com.

The latest information on this fire is available from DFPA at www.dfpa.netwww.twitter.com/DouglasFPA, and/or www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation.