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Firefighters make progress on Indian Creek Fire, Oregon’s largest wildfire

Russell Hamilton, a BLM incident fire operations trainee from Spokane, and a firefighting crew recovered a calf missing on burning rangeland after a local rancher’s herd was evacuated last week. The rancher alerted fire crews on the Indian Creek Fire, northeast of Juntura, that he was one head short. (BLM photo)

VALE—The Indian Creek Fire burning about nine miles east of Juntura is now 47,657 acres and 28% contained, according to a Tuesday update from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The fire, human caused, started Aug. 16, along U.S. Highway 20, and is primarily burning sagebrush, juniper and grass.

“We had a really good day [Monday],” Operations Chief Brent Meisinger said in an update. “We’ll keep on deepening our lines over the next several days.” 

Nearly 400 people are assigned to the fire. Dozer line rehabilitation is beginning in some areas, and crews will begin smoothing over hand dug fire lines.

Fire managers hope to have the wildfire fully contained by this weekend, according the BLM, but that could be tested with potential lightning forecast for Tuesday and a wind shift Wednesday.

The BLM warns residents of increased traffic on U.S. Highway 20 between Burns and Vale and along the Harper-Westfall Road as fire resources are deployed. The fire is still under investigation, but is believed to be human caused.

A BLM map shows the area burned as of Monday night, Aug. 24, by the Indian Creek Fire. The gray shaded areas represent previous wildfires.

PRIOR COVERAGE

Indian Creek Fire spreads to nearly 50,000 acres as smoke hinders air attacks

Indian Creek fire grows to 26,000 acres

Indian Creek fire near Juntura expands to 14,000 acres

News tip? Contact reporter Aidan McGloin at [email protected] or at 541-235-1005.

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