Wildfire Update: Watson Creek Fire 8/26/18 [VIDEO]

Watson Creek Fire at a Glance
Acres: 54,859
Containment: 40%
Location: 6 Miles southwest of Paisley, Oregon
Cause: Under Investigation
Personnel: 1,040
Resources: • 27 Crews
• 75 Engines
Aircraft: • 5 Type 1 Helicopters
• 2 Type 2 Helicopters
• 1 Type 3 Helicopters
Structures
Threatened:
• 212 Residences
• 300 Other
Infrared Map Watson Creek FireCLICK FOR LARGER

Infrared Map Watson Creek Fire
CLICK FOR LARGER

 

UPDATE - 8/27/18

Watson Creek Evacuation Levels Reduced

The Level 1 evacuation that has been in place for residents east of Highway 31 has been lifted.

The Level 2 evacuations for two areas listed below have both been reduced to Level 1: Be Ready. The two areas are for:

  • Residents west of Highway 31 from Beachler’s Corner (Mile Post 105) north on Highway 31 to Forest Road 29, also known as Government Harvey Pass Road. This includes the town of Paisley west of Highway 31; and
  • Residents south of Forest Road 3510 from Forest Road 33 to the west side of Forest Road 3509 and the east side of Forest Road 28. Properties on both sides of Forest Road 3428 from Dairy Point Campground to Forest Road 34. Both sides of Forest Road 34 north of Forest Road 3428 to the junction of Forest Roads 33 and 28.

The Level 3 evacuation for the Lakeview Estates neighborhood just north of Campbell and Deadhorse Lakes in the Fremont-Winema National Forest remains in place.

All evacuation levels will be evaluated again on Tuesday afternoon, August 28th.

 

Original Fire Update

The Watson Creek Fire was subdued overnight, according to night operations chief Vince Grace.  However, light winds from the southwest this morning are expected to increase in velocity and vary in direction throughout the day.  Fire lines on the east side may be tested by the wind and engines will patrol as a precaution.

A slight southerly flow is predicted to pick up in the fire area, becoming westerly around noon then northwesterly in the evening.  Winds of 8 to 13 mph could gust up to 25 to 30 mph in places.  Temperatures will remain cool in the fire area from the upper 60s to low 70s.

A drone flown by Lakeview Crew 7 from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) detected a two-acre spot fire near where Forest Roads 28 and 33 join.  The spot fire was contained and a precautionary Level 2 evacuation order was issued for the area south and southwest of the Watson Creek Fire.

Evacuation notices coordinated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office:

  • Level 3 (GO): Lakeview Estates neighborhood just north of Campbell and Deadhorse Lakes in the Fremont-Winema National Forest is still in effect. Lake County Sheriff’s Office evacuated area residents August 19.
  • Level 2 (Be Set):
    • Residents west of Highway 31 from Beachler’s Corner (Mile Post 105) north on Highway 31 to Forest Road 29, also known as Government Harvey Pass Road.  This includes the town of Paisley west of Highway 31.
    • Residents south of Forest Road 3510 from Forest Road 33 to the west side of Forest Road 3509 and the east side of Forest Road 28.  Properties on both sides of Forest Road 3428 from Dairy Point Campground to Forest Road 34.  Both sides of Forest Road 34 north of Forest Road 3428 to the junction of Forest Roads 33 and 28.
  • Level 1 (Be Ready): Residents east of Highway 31.

Closure Order Number 06-02-03-18-02-02 for the Fremont-Winema National Forest remains in effect.


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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