Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Lightning Caused Fire Sparks Precautionary Evacuation of Lofton Campground


LAKEVIEW, Ore. – South central Oregon wildland firefighters responded to a lightning-caused fire that resulted in the precautionary evacuation of a popular campground today.
The Secret Valley fire was reported at 1:11 p.m. today approximately three miles south of Lofton Reservoir, 15 miles southeast of Bly, and is currently 20 acres and 0 percent containment.
Eight firefighting engines, one hand crew, two bulldozers, two water tenders, one heavy air tanker, one single engine air tanker, two scooper air tankers, two helicopters and two support aircraft are being used to fight the fire and preserve public safety.
Fremont-Winema National Forest is the lead agency responding to the fire. The Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District and Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District are assisting in the firefighting efforts.
Fire managers are utilizing a full suppression strategy to fight the fire. There are structures at risk, but no injuries or damage reported at this time.
To protect public safety, Oregon State Police and Klamath County Sheriff’s Office have placed evacuation orders in effect for Lofton Reservoir Campground as well as Heart Lake Day Use Area and Boat Launch.  Forest Service Road 3715 leading to the recreation area is closed.
Residents and visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for traffic from increased fire personnel and smoke in the area.  This includes State Highway 140 between Bly and Lakeview as firefighters access the area.
During the last 24 hours wildland firefighters responded to another two confirmed lightning-caused fires. This brings the total to 60 fires in the last four days.
The Timber Crater Six fire is reported at 80 acres and currently at 0 percent contained. The fire is located at the northeastern corner of the park, one mile south of State Highway 138.
Crater Lake National Park is the lead agency on the fire and being supported by the Fremont-Winema National Forest. No personnel or structures are in danger. Travelers along State Highway 138 are advised to be aware of smoke in the area which may affect visibility.
The Blue Creek fire is now reported at 40 acres due to improved mapping. It is located at the southwestern base of Spodue Mountain.
Oregon Department of Forestry responded to the fire with assistance from the Fremont-Winema National Forest. One heavy air tanker, five SEATs, three helicopters, 10 firefighting engines, two water tenders and two bulldozers were used in the full-suppression response. The fire is now 50 percent contained.
Firefighters continue to hold the Holbrook fire at 41 acres and it is 50 percent contained.  The fire is located approximately eight miles southeast of Gerber Reservoir. Lakeview District Bureau of Land Management is the lead agency. Firefighters continued their full suppression response today with assistance from the Fremont-Winema National Forest and Oregon Department of Forestry.
The teamwork displayed by firefighters, dispatchers, fire managers, and support staff from all agencies over the past four days continues to play a major role in the successful response to the numerous lightning-caused fires throughout south central Oregon.
Public and firefighter safety is the top priority for all partner agency employees.
South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive wildland fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex; and Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.
Get the most recent updates online at https://scofmp.blogspot.com/, on Facebook at facebook.com/SCOFMPFireInfo and on Twitter at twitter.com/SCOFMPFireInfo.
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