Springfield, Ore. Firefighters continue to make progress on the 173,094-acre Holiday Farm Fire. There are approximately 450 firefighters on the ground during the day-shift. Night shift is smaller, with approximately 20 personnel on the ground. Through all of the hard work on both day and night shifts, the fire is now 73% contained.
Many of sections of the fire line have been patrolled and gridded for smokes. With fewer hot spots near the control line, many crews are being tasked with suppression repair work. One facet of suppression repair is installing water bars. These features are constructed in fire lines and roads to help with erosion control on slopes.
Another part of suppression repair is to open up the dozer berms that are created when bulldozers are used to create fire line. Crews methodically tear down these berms and ensure there is no heat in them. The fire lines will be seeded so that the new vegetation can help stabilize soils in the short-term.
Crews are also gathering equipment from the line that is no longer being used in the suppression effort. Hose, fittings, pumps, and other equipment is brought back to fire camp. Once in camp, it is rehabbed and readied for its next job, or to be returned to the fire cache system to be deployed to another fire if needed.
With Highway 126 being open to through traffic, travelers are reminded to be alert while traveling through the fire area. Avoid all distractions and do not pull over on the shoulders. Travelers can expect to see a presence of firefighting personnel and equipment. For information related to road closures and delays, please visit: www.tripcheck.com or https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Pages/Wildfire.aspx
Area and road closures are still in effect across the fire area.
Information for the Willamette National Forest can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire
Information on Bureau of Land Management closures can be found at: https://www.blm.gov/alert/fire-closures-and-fire-restrictions
As the weather pattern transitions for a short period of westerly flow, firefighters are expecting to see temperatures in the mid-70s to lower 80s. Along with these cooler temperatures, relative humidity will be slightly elevated. Firefighters will use these cooler and moister conditions to their advantage as they continue mopping up.
For fire information inquiries, call (541) 357-9729 or visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7170/. The Holiday Farm Fire Facebook page will also continue with updates (holidayfarmfire@facebook.com).
