Dufur, OR – It was a busy and productive night for firefighters as they continue to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots 25’ or more interior from those lines. OSFM resources have reduced the threat to structures by removing fuels and mopping up hotspots. Unburned interior pockets of fuel will be assessed today and measures taken to reduce the threat of embers igniting them.
With the majority of the fire’s heat located in the Winslow Rd area, a hose line was put in place to assist firefighters with mopping up those areas. The north and east flanks of the fire continue to cool and firefighters will be assessing those containment lines for strength and mopping up the perimeters. With the risk to the structures reduced, structure protection task forces will begin to demobilize today, with the last task force anticipating being released tomorrow morning.
Weather will be warmer and drier than yesterday with afternoon winds on the fire this afternoon increasing, which will continue to challenge firefighters on the line today. Some atmospheric instability will be over the fire today which could cause some erratic and gusty winds to form.
Aviation resources today will continue to support firefighter by using retardant and helicopter water drops. Firefighters will continue to monitor for hazards which include snags, smoldering tree stump pits and heavy duff.
A community meeting will be held at the Christian Church at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, located at 315 Harrison Street, Dufur, OR. Fire managers and other local emergency services personnel will be available for a fire update and to answer any related questions. It will also be posted on FaceBook live via the South Valley/Substation Fire 2018 Facebook page.
Evacuations and Structures:
With the threat to structures reduced, the Wasco County Sheriff has lowered all Level 3 evacuations to a Level 2 as of this morning. Current Level 1 evacuation orders remain unchanged. For further details on evacuation orders visit the Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page. The Bureau of Land Management will continue to keep Segment 3 of the Deschutes River corridor from Sandy Beach to Mack’s Canyon open unless conditions change for the worse.
