Single Publication

Cedar Creek Fire

October 5, 2022 | Update 8:30 AM | Size: 120,926 acres | Contained: 36% | Start Date: August 1,2022 | Origin: 15 miles east of Oakridge, OR 
Cause: Lightning | Total personnel: 702 | Resources: 12 engines; 17 crews; 10 heavy equipment; 5 helicopters

Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team 9 assumed command of the East Zone of Cedar Creek Fire at 8:00 PM yesterday, October 3. The team will coordinate management of the entire Cedar Creek Fire, as well as facilitate the remaining work to be done on Potter and Big Swamp Fires.

Operations: Although there have been no changes to closures in the fire area, road repairs and grading are underway in many areas of the Cedar Creek Fire including Forest Service Road 19 and 24 near the Westfir community and Highway 46 in the East Zone. Some firing operations occurred in Division W (the southwestern border of the fire) along Eagle Creek and a sprinkler system is in place for utilization along the train tracks.

Firefighters are moving materials, cleaning campgrounds, and identifying additional repair needs along highway 46. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been used on many occasions on this fire and will continue to be utilized to fly over Fuji Mountain and other locations in the southeast region of the fire. The UAS provides an excellent alternative when smoke and weather create unsafe flying conditions for helicopters, reducing flying exposure for pilots and crewmembers. These aircraft have been able to help firefighters on the Cedar Creek Fire identify areas of heat through infrared technology where they can focus efforts.

Repair work with heavy equipment is ongoing on Potter and Big Swamp Fires. 

Weather: Increased windspeeds are predicted to occur Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fireline during that wind event. Increasing temperatures and lower relative humidity will contribute to fire behavior. Smoke impacts will persist in the area throughout the morning with easterly winds in the morning and westerly winds in the afternoon.

Closures: The Deschutes National Forest and Willamette National Forest both have closures and fire restrictions in effect. Some of these closures will remain in effect until areas that have been heavily impacted by the fire are surveyed for safety hazards. Please respect Forest closures for firefighter and public safety. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. 16 USC § 551 and 18 U.S.C §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581. Please visit Willamette National Forest and Deschutes National Forest for the most recent closure orders and maps. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place. The use of drones is prohibited in the fire area, please make it safe for our firefighters to use aircraft on the fire. Pacific Crest Trail hikers should visit pcta.org for current information.

Smoke: For current conditions, see Fire.airnow.gov, oakridgeair.org, and LRAPA - Today's Current Air Quality. Smoke Forecast Outlooks are available at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook.

Evacuations: An updated map of the evacuation areas is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/CedarCreek. Sign-up for emergency mobile alerts by going to oralert.gov. Please check with Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-693-6911 for updates and changes.