Silver Creek Fire

SILVERTON, ORE. – A 10-acre wildfire is burning in the southeast corner of Silver Falls State Park. This area is remote, steep and timbered terrain. Smoke was first reported late in the evening on Thursday, July 12. Crews from Drakes Crossing Fire District responded quickly, but the small size of the fire and thick undergrowth made it difficult to pinpoint the source before darkness made further work impossible.

Crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) joined Drakes Friday, July 13 to cut a trail toward the fire while aviation resources dropped water and retardant through the day.

ODF crews are actively engaged on the fire. Additional resources will join the effort and engage the fire early in the morning Saturday, July 14. These resources include Heavy Airtankers, Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs), helicopter and ground support.

A YMCA summer camp at Camp Silver Creek, a facility inside the park about a mile from the fire, ended a day early as a precaution, with 142 youth and several dozen staff leaving between 4-5 p.m.

While other areas of the park are currently scheduled to open on Saturday, July 14, there will be abundant firefighter equipment and aircraft in the area. Any visitors who plan to visit the park this weekend are advised to wait until more information is available about the status of this small fire.

No injuries or facility damage have been reported. A cause to the ignition of the fire has not been reported. Klamath Falls News will follow this wildfire and update as information becomes available

Klamath Falls News coverage of the 2018 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Excel Auto Body.

We at Excel Auto Body appreciate the brave men and women wildland firefighters that put themselves in harms way to protect our greatest treasures. Thank you for all that you.

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