Update from Camp Creek Fire for 9/5/23

The fire is 1902 acres, 16% contained and has 576 personnel.

Weather and Fire Behavior: 

Yesterday’s rainfall has slowed the growth and rate of fire spread. Warmer and drier conditions with little precipitation are expected for the remainder of the week into the weekend. This may increase fire activity in the coming days. Winds will remain light, moving from the west in an easterly direction.  

The fire is burning in heavy, dry fuels such as deep duff, rotten logs, and timber litter under a dense canopy. Current fire behavior includes widespread smoldering and creeping which will continue due to long term seasonal drying.  

Operations: 

Crews are strengthening and improving fire lines along Forest Service Roads 12 and 14 by removing vegetation and installing a water system to help control fire growth. As a result, containment has increased from 11% to 16%.  

Recent rains have hampered crews’ ability to carry out firing operations. They are patiently waiting for a window of opportunity to conduct these operations along Road 12 in order to increase control. This tactic allows for strategic placement of low intensity fire on areas that are unburned, resulting in the fire slowing down or advancing when it meets the road due to lack of vegetation.  

One of the biggest challenges for crews on the southeastern edge of the fire is the steep terrain and hazard trees. Scouting for strategic control line locations is helping crews develop safe and effective suppression tactics to get ahead of fire spread. 

Today, fire information officers will be stationed at Safeway and Jonsrud Lookout in Sandy, OR from 1 – 6 p.m. to provide updates and answer questions. A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m. at the Mt. Hood Lions Club in Welches, OR. We will attempt to livestream the meeting on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campcreekfire.   

Additional Information: 

Current smoke outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/2c7a8f9b.  

Closures and Evacuations: 

Barlow Wayside Park and the Sandy Ridge Recreation Site are temporarily closed due to fire activity. Clackamas County residents can sign up at https://www.clackamas.us/dm/publicalerts to receive emergency alerts via email, phone, or text.  

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR):  

A TFR is issued over the fire area, which excludes public drone use. Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. 

Safety: 

With both fire equipment and school buses now on the road, please drive cautiously and adhere to speed limits.