[This news release was revised to add a link to photos and videos: https://drive.google.com/open?id=19RlLpHp3XPlNq0d-H8ZBz7SqEvDUG3Yy]
News Release // Oregon Department of Forestry + Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE // July 14, 2018 // 5:20 p.m.
Contacts:
Chris Havel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept, 503-931-2590, chris.havel@oregon.gov
Bobbi Doan, Oregon Department of Forestry, 503-507-4481, bobbi.j.doan@oregon.gov
Silver Creek Fire Update 2
Silverton OR – This is an update on the small fire burning in a remote southeast corner of Silver Falls State Park. Smoke was first reported late in the evening on Thursday, July 12.
Main points:
- After successfully forging trails to reach the fire, ground and air attacks made headway and containment is currently at 10%.
- The fire is currently estimated at 12-15 acres and is burning in the Howard Creek drainage, a remote, steep, timbered area over a mile from the park boundary.
- Approximately 110 personnel from Oregon Department of Forestry and partner organizations are involved, with most directly engaged in firefighting on the ground.
- The aerial component involves Heavy Airtankers, Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs), helicopter, and ground support.
- Park facilities remain unchanged from earlier reports: the 214 Trailhead and several back-country trails, Howard Creek horse camp and day-use area, youth camp (Camp Silver Creek), and the Ranches are all closed. Howard Creek and the Ranches are closed to serve as command posts. Other areas of the park are currently operating normally, with no interruptions to scheduled events.
- Conditions can change quickly; watch for updates on https://bit.ly/2meFGMP.
The Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department expect to issue one update daily starting Sunday, July 15 unless conditions change dramatically. Photographs and video from the active area of the fire will be posted later this evening. REVISED: Photos and videos frlom July 14 are available for download at https://drive.google.com/open?id=19RlLpHp3XPlNq0d-H8ZBz7SqEvDUG3Yy .
No injuries or facility damage have been reported.
###