The Buckhead Complex grew from 55 acres to 136 acres on Friday, primarily because of the effects of gravity on the fire, but also because of the utilization of aerial reconnaissance to better estimate the fire size.
Gravity continues to be the main player in fire spread as the Buckhead Fire grew to the north and south from falling and rolling firebrands. A small slop-over also occurred to the west of the fire, but has been lined and mopped up. Firefighters completed a hand-built fireline across the north edge of the fire on Friday.
Fire spread on the Evangeline Fire was also due to rolling debris. A dozer line was completed along the high, flat area at the western edge. This line is expected to hold against any push from the east, and will also provide vastly improved access for firefighters. From the dozer line, hose is being strung today along the south side of the fire.
A new fire was detected on Friday on Mule Mountain near Blair Lake. Crews were working on the half-acre fire overnight.
Four medium-lift firefighting helicopters are flying out of the Oakridge airport to support the Buckhead Complex. One of the four will not be working today, however, as it is undergoing maintenance. The airport is closed to other uses, and a Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Buckhead Fire.
A firefighter carrying several rolls of fire hose suffered a dislocated shoulder on Friday and was taken to Eugene for treatment.
The Oakridge community is involved in providing food and services to the firefighters. Meals are being served to fire crews by cafeteria staff at the Oakridge Junior/Senior High School, and gasoline and other purchases are being made locally.
For more information on current conditions on the forest, contact us at 541.225.6300. You can also visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/willamette and click on the current conditions link or follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/ willametteNF. Additional information is available at www.inciweb.org. Photos are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/willamettenf.
SourceSouthern Cascades Type 3 Interagency IMT