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Firefighters catch spot fires, prepare for more challenging weather

MITCHELL, Ore. – Overnight, firefighters on the Shoe Fly Fire were able to establish fireline on two spotfires and hold the line across the rest of the fire. Two areas on the southwest and northeast borders continue to be the focus for many of the resources on the fire.

“Much of the fireline is holding and we are necking down these trouble spots,” stated Incident Commander Joe Hessel this morning at briefing. “Today we will focus on pinching these trouble areas off so we can turn our efforts to holding the fire and mopping up.”

Fire spotted across the fireline in the Peggy Butte area late Friday night. Firefighters worked to line the fire while also using fire to remove unburned fuel between the main fire perimeter and these spots, reducing the risk of additional spotting.

On the northeast corner, fire spotted outside the fireline, burning approximately 20 acres north of Baldy Mountain. Firefighters in this area were able to stop the spread and spent the night building fireline. Today, resources will continue strengthening the fireline and work to mop up the perimeter of the fire.

Other areas of the fire are in beginning mop up stages, and resources are working to identify and extinguish areas of heat near the fireline. Hazard trees are also being removed to reduce risks to firefighters.

Critical fire weather continues today, including a Red Flag Warning for dry, hot, unstable conditions that will challenge firefighters working to hold the fire within the existing footprint. There is a potential for gusty winds which could push the fire to spot into dry fuels outside the fireline. Firefighters continue to mop up deeper into the fire, pushing for cold black adjacent to the fireline in anticipation of changing wind directions.

Three structural task forces are providing structure protection, mopping up and improving firelines near residences. This is a coordinated effort between Wheeler County Fire Defense Board, Oregon State Fire Marshal and Team 1 operations. Two task forces will be working today.

With the potential for new fire starts in the area resources from the Shoe Fly Fire are available to support local firefighters and landowners in suppression efforts.

Evacuation notices for residents around the fire continue to be evaluated by the Wheeler County Sheriff, Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief, and Team 1 Operations personnel. More information on current evacuations is available at https://tinyurl.com/RAPTOR-Evacuation-Info

While there are no current road closures due to the Shoe Fly Fire, other fires nearby may be impacting travel. Check https://tripcheck.com/ for current closures and potential delays.