Oregon Dept. of Forestry
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News Release
ODF Aviation Manager Neal Laugle discusses with ODF and local fire teams the agency's air attack strategy on the Silver Creek Fire.
ODF Aviation Manager Neal Laugle discusses with ODF and local fire teams the agency's air attack strategy on the Silver Creek Fire.
Over 100 firefighters are now engaged on the Silver Creek Fire in Marion County (Photo) - 07/14/18

SILVER FALLS STATE PARK, Ore. – The number of firefighting personnel engaged on the Silver Creek Fire at Silver Falls State Park has grown to about 110. The Oregon Department of Forestry and Drakes Crossing Rural Fire Protection District both are engaged on the fire along with hand crews from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. The fire’s size is estimated at 12 acres. The cause is under investigation.

The Howard Creek Horse Camp within the park has been closed to the public so it can be used as a staging area for firefighting operations. Camp Silver Creek (also known as the Y Camp) about a mile from the fire’s location in the southeast part of the park was evacuated yesterday and remains closed. Oregon State Parks is reporting that also closed are all back-country trails on the east side of the park, The Ranches, and 214 Trailhead.  The rest of the park and events there are unaffected and remain open but visitors are cautioned to be alert to firefighting activity and traffic. For the latest on park and trail closures, check Oregon State Park’s fire closures web page

The fire’s Incident Commander Brent O’Nion with ODF said this morning that, “Because the fire is in steep, heavily timbered terrain in a section of the park away from roads and trails, getting ground crews up to the fire has been challenging. Firefighter safety is a concern and our number one priority right now as we battle this blaze.”

O’Nion said ODF and Drakes Crossing firefighters responded to the initial report of fire Thursday night and searched until 1 a.m. trying to locate the fire. The search resumed at daybreak Friday morning, when the fire – estimated at less than an acre – was finally located beneath thick timber.

“We had solid initial attack on the fire from the air yesterday, with response from a helicopter, single-engine airtankers and large airtankers,” said O’Nion. “That gave our firefighters time to work their way toward the fire so they could begin engaging on it.”

O’Nion lauded the continuing close collaboration with local firefighters and parks personnel on the fire.

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