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Weather and Fire Behavior:

As we start showing more containment on the Camp Creek Fire — indicated by a black line along the perimeter of the map — you may begin reading the phrase “mop up” in our daily updates or hearing it mentioned in our recorded videos. Mop up refers to a stage of firefighting to help remove any remaining heat along a containment line. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: The Camp Creek Fire in the Bull Run Watershed northeast of Sandy was sparked by lightning on Thursday, August 24, and has grown to around 1,600 acres with 0% containment. Yesterday’s somewhat more favorable weather conditions moderated fire behavior and limited growth. The fire stayed mostly in its footprint from Friday. The fire burned in heavy fuels, and it continued to move up drainage to the northeast and east.

Fire Size: 1,969 acres Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 306 Cool, cloudy, and moist conditions dampened fire behavior on Tuesday. The fire remained moderately active in heavy timber fuels with minimal additional increase in acres burned. The fire is reported as 1,969 acres with 0% containment. 

Our updates and operational briefings this week have shared information about firing operations that are taking place in areas along Forest Roads 12 & 14 of the Camp Creek Fire. We thought it would be helpful to provide an explanation of why firing operations can be such a useful strategy in fire containment efforts.

Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones, are another tool which can be used during wildland fire operations.

The Bull Run Watershed is an important source of drinking water for much of the greater Portland area. Access to the old growth forest is restricted in order to ensure the region’s drinking water remains clean and safe to drink. But those responsible for the water quality don’t just leave it to chance. This facility along the South Fork of the Bull Run River is a water sampling station.   

Our Camp Creek Fire Public Information team has compiled and answered some of the commonly asked questions that were brought up at our community meetings on Monday, August 27 in Welches and Tuesday, August 28 in Corbett.

Fire Size: 1,607 acres Containment: 0% Total Personnel: 254 Weather and Fire Behavior: Due to heavy cloud cover overnight the infrared mapping mission was unable to update the fire size, however firefighters report only modest growth to the east and south. The previous mission mapped the Camp Creek Fire at 1,607 acres. The fire remains at 0% containment.