Single Publication

Rail Ridge Fire Update
October 10, 2024
Central Oregon Wildfire Information: centraloregonfire.org
Email: 2024.railridge@firenet.gov – Phone: 541-208-7111
Social Media, Evacuation and Closure Information: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire
Acres: 173,530 – Containment: 89% – Detection: 09/02/24 – Cause: Lightning – Personnel: 575

Operational Update – Yesterday, the moderated weather over the Rail Ridge Fire area was a welcome change for firefighters. Increased humidity, lower temperatures, and increased cloud coverage limited the overall fire activity. The moderated weather provided the opportunity for the tactical burning on the western containment line of the Black Canyon Wilderness to be completed. Last night firefighters used an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with Plastic Sphere Dispensers (PSD) for aerial ignition operations. Lighting the unburned fuel pockets within the containment lines of the fire, much like a prescribed fire. Managing when and how these unburned pockets of fuels burn is a beneficial tactic used to control the severity that may occur if they were to burn uncontrolled.
 

The spot fire on the northwestern edge of the fire is currently estimated to be around 1600 acres and grew very little yesterday. The southern portion has burned into the main fires edge and firefighters scouted for opportunities for containment lines using existing roads, trail systems and natural barriers. Air tankers were utilized to protect values at risk and helicopters supported ground resources with water bucket drops.
 

Today, crews will continue to work diligently on the northwest section of the fire and aviation resources will continue to be used as needed. Facing very heavy fuel loads and rugged terrain in this area, equipment has been ordered to prepare containment lines using roadways and natural barriers as much as possible. Opportunities to construct dozer line or handline adjacent to the fires edge will be used if it is safe to do so. Fire activity is expected to be similar to yesterday, with decreased fire behavior due to increased cloud cover, better humidity recovery overnight, and decreased winds. Crews will continue to mop-up and strengthen the containment lines that were blacklined yesterday around the western side of the wilderness. The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is available to continue lighting the unburned fuel pockets within the containment lines of the fire if needed. Suppression repair continues across the fire area, the fire team continues to work with landowners and local agency administrators to find what suppression repair remains to be accomplished.
 

Weather – Cooler temperatures in the low 60s are expected over the region today with light terrain driven winds. Minimum relative humidity this afternoon will be in the mid to upper 30% range and strong humidity recovery is again expected over night at around 60%.
 

Forest & BLM Closures / Evacuation Information / Fire Restrictions for the Rail Ridge Fire area can be found at: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.