Salem-News.com Wildfires articles

Canal Creek Fire Slows, Weather Increases Hope for Firefighters

Wet weather and the combined aggressive efforts of fire crews on the ground, raise chances of the fire being under control soon.

(DETROIT, Ore.) - The Canal Creek fire has now been held to 283 acres for a few days and is at 90% containment as of Saturday morning.

Many of the area road closures have now been lifted. The Quartzville Road is now completely open and accessible from Sweet Home to Highway 22.

Beneficial Higher Humidity Comes to Southern California

Poor air quality has led to some schools being closed and the postponement of some outdoor sporting events.

(LOS ANGELES) - AccuWeather.com reports an increasing marine influence will continue to aid firefighters battling Los Angeles County's largest fire on record, as well as others in Southern California.

While more typical heat will still be a problem over the interior of California and the Intermountain West in general, higher humidity and an overall cooling trend will continue through the weekend.

Dry Terrain Boosts Monstrous Growth of California Wildfires

The smoke plume from the fire has been able to surge over 20,000 feet high.

(LOS ANGELES) - Though extreme heat and low humidity have been playing a role, it has largely been excessive drought and steep terrain that have allowed the Station fire burning north of Los Angeles to spread so rapidly without Santa Ana winds.

The fire has exploded from covering 5,500 acres Friday to over 100,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest by the end of the day Monday.

Helicopters & Air Tankers Battling Canal Creek Fire

The public is urged to stay out of this area so that fire crews can continue to work at containing this fire.

(DETROIT, Ore.) - The Canal Creek Fire in the Detroit Wilderness area had grown to 90 acres of 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Fire officials say warm temperatures helped the fire advance upslope through heavy timber with long-range spotting.

Helicopters and air tankers were used to drop water and fire retardants along the active fire front, while hand crews began constructing firelines.

Canal Creek Fire at Detroit Prompts Closures and Evacuations

With light winds and warm temperatures today, the fire is expected to push up-slope in this area of heavy timber and old-growth Douglas Fir.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The wildland fire reported at 6:00 pm last night about 8 miles southwest of Detroit has been named the Canal Creek Fire.

As of 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning, it had grown to 45 acres in size. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.

Fire Crews Battle Wildfire Near Detroit

Citizens are asked to remain clear of the affected area so that crews can get in and attack the fire.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A fire was reported in the upper Elk Creek drainage area around 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, approximately 8 miles southwest of the town of Detroit, and about 2 miles west of Slate Rock.

The fire was estimated to be 35 acres in size. Fire resources are responding to the location at this time.

Western Lane District Raises Fire Precaution Levels

The district imposed fire safety rules on recreational activities in the forest on July 20th.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - The ongoing heat wave has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry's Western Lane District to raise the fire safety precaution levels across western Lane County and northern Douglas County.

Beginning July 30th, most timber harvest activity on the three-quarters of a million acres protected from wildfire by the district will be restricted to the period from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

SPECIAL FEATURE: `Where There`s Smoke - There`s Fire` (VIDEO)

Special feature video report by Gerrit Roelof and Jerry Freeman on wildland firefighter training in Oregon.

(SWEET HOME, Ore.) - It's hard to underestimate the importance of fire safety in a state like Oregon. This week, in preparation for the upcoming summer fire season, students are learning the finer points of wildland firefighting and honing their skills, until they get it right.

Paul Heibert, the incident commander at the wildland firefighter school, says a lot of the work is standardized training. "It's done nationally and we don't have a lot of wiggle room as far as what we teach them. which I'd say is a good thing. So three of the five days we have the mandatory stuff and the rest of it we have some play."

Feelin` the Heat: Higher Temps, Less Water for Oregon (AUDIO)

New Federal Report Makes Big Climate Change Predictions.

(PORTLAND, Ore ONS) - Warnings for the Pacific Northwest are dire in a new federal report on climate change. In the works since 2007, "Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States" compiles years of data from more than a dozen federal agencies.

It says Oregon, Washington and Idaho will see hotter temperatures and less water in rivers for fish and wildlife, hydropower, agriculture, wildfire control...and drinking water for people.

California`s Firefighters Battling Jesusita Blaze See Progress

Flames destroyed 77 homes, while damaging another 22.

(SANTA BARBARA) - Fire crews near Santa Barbara, California have made serious progress in their fight to contain the Jesusita Fire. So far 8,733 acres have been burned by a wildfire that threatened more than 500 homes.

The Los Padres National Forest/Santa Barbara County Fire located northwest of Mission Canyon and Santa Barbara, is currently 70% contained.