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Soaking Rains Aid Crews to Cool Dixon Fire

DAYS CREEK, Ore. – Yesterday’s thunderstorms provided opportunities for improved suppression efforts overnight on the Dixon Fire. Crews traveled with caution on soggy, slippery roads after sheets of rain drenched the area. Oregon Department of Forestry crews identified two fire starts adjacent to the Dixon Fire, and Douglas Forest Protective Association and Umpqua National Forest crews responded. About four-tenths of an inch of rain fell overnight, and containment increased from 23% to 34% yesterday.

Overnight, using hand-held thermal imaging infrared cameras, crews gridded through mop-up areas and further identified spots to be worked.

Today’s crews will work to eliminate those spots and are prepared for quick response to any new ignitions. They will continue to mop up areas up to 200 feet into the boundaries of the fire, following mop up standards for local agencies.

Aerial reconnaissance flights to aid ground resources and look for new lightning fires will resume midday as visibility allows.

Some fire personnel and equipment are beginning to demobilize and return to their home units, providing them opportunity for much needed rest and making them available for future response.

With reduced fire activity, diminished public interest, and increased containment, some information boards will be removed today. Information boards will remain posted in the Tiller area to serve residents who may not have phone or internet access. Information boards will be removed in Canyonville.

Yesterday the Douglas Forest Protective Association announced a decrease in Public Use Restrictions to MODERATE and a decrease to LEVEL 2 for Industrial Fire Protection Levels. Restrictions on open burning remain in effect.

Evacuation levels, managed by the Douglas County Sheriff, were downgraded yesterday afternoon. Please stay up to date on evacuation levels at: http://www.dcso.com/evacuations
Fire Prevention: Know Before You Go - It Only Takes One Spark. Public and industrial restrictions are in place to help prevent wildfires:
• Umpqua National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/umpqua/fire
• Oregon Department of Forestry: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx
• Douglas Forest Protective Association: https://www.dfpa.net/public-fire-restrictions

Road Update: The Tiller Trail Highway is open; however, with severe weather in the area yesterday, check conditions before you travel. Use Tripcheck to plan ahead: https://tripcheck.com/

Forest Closures: There are two forest closures impacting every district of the Umpqua National Forest. Closure information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices
Smoke Outlook: https://fire.airnow.gov/#

Infrastructure Update: Power has been restored to area residents by Pacific Power. For questions, please contact the Pacific Power Customer Service team at 1-888-221-7070.