Thunderstorms spark new fires around Mt. Hood region

Mt. Hood National Forest firefighters responded to several new lightning starts on Monday, August 5 after a storm system passed through the area in the early morning hours.

Sandstone Fire is located on the Clackamas River Ranger District on the south side of Thunder Mountain, several miles north of Forest Road 70. It’s currently burning in the 2006 Blister Fire burn scar and is estimated at approximately 350 acres. More accurate mapping will be provided once an infrared flight is available.

The fire is located in a challenging area with multiple hazard snags around the perimeter. Personnel are working to get ground resources closer to the fire. Scooper planes are using Timothy and Detroit Lakes to retrieve water and help slow the fire’s growth.

Barlow Ridge Fire, located along Barlow Ridge south of OR Route 35 and east of U.S. Highway 26, was fully lined around the perimeter yesterday at roughly 0.25 acre. A helicopter from nearby Whisky Creek Fire dropped water on the fire, keeping the footprint small with the help of local engines and firefighters. Fire personnel will continue to patrol and mop up, which includes extinguishing and removing burning material, over the next several days.

Hunchback Fire is estimated at 0.1 acre. Containment lines held overnight and firefighters completed line construction today. Mop-up operations have begun. Smokejumpers are assisting and personnel will remain on scene and patrol for several days.

Fish Creek Divide Fire is estimated at 0.25 acre. Resources are on scene.

There are no closures at this time. We ask people to avoid the fire areas to allow firefighters to work safely.

Any evacuation notices for Sandstone Fire will be shared by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Please be sure to follow them for updates and sign up for emergency alerts: www.clackamas.us/dm/publicalerts

Public use fire restrictions are in effect and open campfires are prohibited in Mt. Hood National Forest. For more information on fire restrictions, visit our website: www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire

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