Holiday Farm Fire Update 9/15
Holiday Farm Fire Wildfire
News – 3 hrs. ago
Springfield, Ore. –The Urban Search and Rescue Team has completed 431 structural evaluations in the fire area. The team started at the eastern edge of the fire in the community of Rainbow and have been working west down the Highway 126 corridor. The team expects to assess structures in the community of Blue River today. The team has assessed approximately 30 percent of the 1018 structures in the fire area. Structures include commercial buildings, residences and outbuildings.
Of the 431 structures evaluated by the team:
· 315 have been destroyed or failed (308 destroyed, 7 failed) · 102 no damage reported · 14 damaged
To ensure accurate information, Lane County partners are finalizing a process on how to release the damage assessments and share more detailed information with property owners. The Lane County Office of Emergency Management Call Center is available to assist homeowners and residents with damage assessment information. The Lane County Call Center can be reached at: 541-682-3977.
Structure protection, infrastructure rebuilding and wildland fire suppression activities continue throughout the fire area.
Structure protection continues to remain a high priority. Firefighters will work throughout the day to extinguish hot spots in and around structures along Highway 126. They are also mopping up along Highway 126.
Night crews conducted a burnout operation on the southwestern area of the fire on industrial timberlands above Deerhorn Road. The embers from the burnout started small spot fires that required crews to build additional fire control lines.
The Incident Meteorologist forecasted that today’s weather may lighten the smoke inversion which could increase fire behavior.
On a fire of this scale, fire crews are conducting small burnout operations to connect fire control lines and limit fire spread. In addition, the fire crews are using bull dozers and other heavy equipment, largely provided by private industrial landowners, to construct containment lines along the fire edge or open up existing road systems in preparation for additional burnout opportunities. The Leaburg Dam has been repowered and refilled. It is now available as a strategic dip site for heavy helicopters with quick access to the most populated areas near the fire perimeter.The Lane and Linn County Sheriff Offices continue to work with fire operations personnel to modify evacuation zones where appropriate. For the latest information on evacuation areas, please visit:Lane County: www.lanecounty.org/mckenziefireLinn County: www.linnsheriff.org/fire_live_updates_sept_2020/Please continue to monitor cell phones, landlines, local media and official information sources for evacuation updates. Fire managers request that the public please avoid the area. Roads are closed in the fire area and much of the Willamette National Forest (WNF) and Salem/Eugene BLM. Road hazards include falling trees and rocks and debris. For more information on closures on the WNF visit:https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574For more information on closures on the BLM visit:https://www.blm.gov/press-release/extreme-fire-activity-prompts-closure-bureau-land-management-lands-northwestern-oregonFire personnel are warmed by the community’s support but are unable to accept donations or use volunteers. The fire must use individuals with the appropriate qualifications. Those looking to volunteer or donate can connect with local organizations at: https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=17035134 ###
