Haight Creek Fire Update - 07/20/23 10:00 a.m.:
ODF’s Western Lane District, Bureau of Land Management and partner agencies made significant progress overnight on the Haight Creek Fire approximately 7 miles southwest of Veneta. Crews were able to dig a fireline and lay hose down around the perimeter of the 100-acre fire that’s currently burning on ODF-protected BLM land.
Today’s day shift will concentrate on holding and improving the fireline around the perimeter, cutting down dead timber and begin to mop-up 20 feet into the fire where possible. Dead, standing timber, or snags, are always a safety issue to firefighters during a fire and a safety concern to public after the firefighters leave, so crews will focus on falling them to improve safety as fire activity slows.
Yesterday, ODF had 15 dedicated aircraft working the fire, with eight airtankers and seven helicopters. Air operations will continue today and support crews from local ODF districts and protective associations, Bureau of Land Management, private and public partners.
The fire started on Tuesday, July 18 during the evening. The fire is currently under investigation. There are no structure, powerlines, or other infrastructure in the area. Access to Oxbow Road remains closed near the fire for firefighter safety. The public is urged to avoid the area for their own safety.
Images: Thank you to the crew that sent in images from the fireline.
From the ODF’s facebook (sigh) page:
source: https://www.facebook.com/ODFWesternLane?__cft__[0]=AZW3Gzqqz4bqyBI11u2qcuJYcUhqY483Hlqp1NiSg-lJF783odHRgU5Dt4OlIrzsdVzYhlmi9QyNHabj5OSRlhvbsf09jRj_tkT5hKYiH4PNi5E0Jxv0jsHA8cLEnwDR2ETsESO9gK1VIE70xzWbzbB94XQBz8YjH4M9K4SKgAPOJOQiYU6GUISj2JKWNisMh90&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R
I think this sounds like the cause of the smoke, but it also seems like our ODF amigos are on this one. Hopefully their efforts prove effective.