Updated to reflect new data that came in late from the Fire Management Team.

CHILOQUIN, OR – Last reported at 12,500 acres, Two Four Two Fire continues to burn west of Chiloquin, Oregon on the Chiloquin Ranger District and the surrounding area. An Oregon Department of Forestry Type 2 Incident Management Team assumed command of the incident this morning. The incident is a unified command with ODF and the U.S. Forest Service. Estimated at five percent containment.

The fire grew by approximately 2,500 acres on Wednesday. 1,253 structures remain threatened by the fire. 70 Structures have been damaged, 35 have been destroyed.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

In the Wednesday evening virtual public meeting, Chief Michael Cook, Chiloquin Fire and Rescue said, “At this time we have lost eight houses, 31 have been affected, 15 of those have light and moderate damage.”

A VLAT makes a pass to drop fire retardant along US97 near Rainbow Park Drive. September 9, 2020 (Image by, Brian Gailey / Klamath Falls News)

Unlike on Monday night, when the fire was growing in a nearly straight line from the origination point at Williamson River Campground southwest through Collier Park toward Agency Lake; today the fire grew in all directions especially toward the north. A late afternoon wind shift turned the fire into a previously unburned area along Oregon Highway 422 and back toward U.S. Highway 97. Threatening areas east of US97

Fire crews are using US97 as a fire break on the east side of the fire. Structure teams are working in the Rainbow Park neighborhood to keep spot fires from spreading eastward through the neighborhood.

Approximately 144 residents of Rainbow Park have been evacuated.

Smoke from the #242Fire is seen burining east of Highway 62 just north of the Klamath Fish Hatchery and Copeland Canyon. September 9, 2020 (Image by Brian Gailey / Klamath Falls News)

Planned actions overnight include working to hold and expand the eastern containment along US97

Thursday they plan to hook around the north side to start getting around the fire. Plans heavily depend on weather. The dry, windy conditions make firefighting difficult. The team will adjust tactics as needed to account for the weather while focusing on containing the fire as quickly and safely as possible.

The new Incident Management Team held a virtual public information meeting at 7:00 PM. This can be re-watched HERE or below.

A new fire information line has been established at 541-846-8174. Fire information can also be reached at twofourtwofire.information@gmail.com.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office asks area residents to please use texting and social media to update family members on their status. Communication lines are being bogged down due to increased cellphone traffic, resulting in challenges for calls to be connected.

ROAD CLOSURES

Fire officials are working their best to keep US97 open. However, due to unpredictable fire movement it may be occasionally closed.

Wednesday morning US97 was open, to one-lane with a pilot car between Oregon State Highway 62 south of Chiloquin north to the intersection with Forest Road 9732 at Oux Kanee Overlook.

Oregon State Highway 422 North is closed between Highway 97 and Oregon State Highway 62. Highway 62 is closed from the junction with Highway 97 north to Klamath Fish Hatchery. The Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation are handling highway road closures.

Visit tripcheck.com for the latest road closures.

Evacuation map presented at the virtual public meeting. Click for larger.

EVACUATIONS

Level 3 Evacuation – Collier State Park; residents west of the State Park; Woodland Park; Rainbow Park; Oregon Shores 1, north of Maidu Road; residents in the area north of the Road 422 and Highway 62 junction east of the Wood River, south of Crooked Creek between Wood River and the State Fish Hatchery; west of Highway 97 near milepost 243, residents near Spring Creek.

Level 2 Evacuation – south of Maidu Road, west of Highway 62, including Oregon Shores 2. Residents should be prepared if there is a need for immediate evacuation.

Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputies and local fire departments have conducted evacuations in the area since Monday night.

The Red Cross has established an evacuation center at Kla-Mo-Ya south of Chiloquin. Evacuees or those with questions are advised to not call 911 unless it is an emergency, but instead go to Kla-Mo-Ya in person. The Klamath County Fairgrounds are also available for evacuees with trailers or animals. RV hook-ups and animal holding facilities are available.

RESOURCES

There are currently 19 engines, four hand crews, eight dozers, four water-tenders, and multiple air resources including two lead planes, 11 single-engine air tankers, and three helicopters assigned to the fire.

“Deschutes County sent a task force of five engines - Klamath County all the way down to Malin and up to Crescent has supplied us with 12 engines,” said Chief Cook. “We had 9 Chiloquin Fire & Rescue engines on the initial attack.”

More resources are being ordered. Because of heat and smoke, the use of air resources has been limited.

When air resources are available, Klamath Lake is being used to scoop water. Boaters are advised to be aware of their surroundings and avoid areas where aircraft are operating over the water. Williamson River and Spring Creek are also being used for dip sites. The Two Four Two Fire was discovered Monday near Williamson River Campground on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Chiloquin Ranger District.

PLANNED INCIDENT ACTIVITY

In the next 12 hours, the potential is extremely high for spread, continued evacuations, and loss of structures, expect the fire to continue to grow to the NW and SW

In the next 24 hours, the potential is extremely high for spread, continued evacuations, and loss of structures, expect the fire to continue to grow to the NW and SW. Type 2 Team will be in place, actively fighting fire should have a good footprint

In the next 48 hours, the potential is extremely high for spread, continued evacuations, and loss of structures, expect the fire to continue to grow to the NW and SW. A shift in weather pattern expected should help with slowing the rate of spread.

In the next 72 hours the potential should be mod-high for spread, continued evacuations, and loss of structures, expect the fire to continue to grow to the NW and SW.

Anticipated after 72 hours: Actively engaged in decreasing fire behavior predicted

WEATHER CONCERNS

Predicted wind events for the next 48 hours high temps, low RH. red flag warnings, drought conditions are a high concern.

PHOTOS FROM TODAY

September 8, 2020
Two Four Two Fire Update for Tuesday Afternoon
September 7, 2020
Wildfire burns through Collier State Park [UPDATED]

Perimeter map of the #TwoFourTwoFire. Click for larger.

Two Four Two Fire Details

Cause:
Under Investigation

Size:
12,500+ acres

Containment:
5%

Location:
4 Miles northwest of Chiloquin, Oregon

Estimated Cost:
$1.2 Million

Resources:
215 Personnel
24 Engines
2 Hand Crews
10 Dozers
5 Water Tenders
3 Helicopters
Air support as available

Structures:
1,253 Threatened
70 Damaged
35 Destroyed

Fuels:
Timber
Brush
Tall Grass
Structures/Propane

Agencies:
Oregon Department of Forestry
Chiloquin Fire
Rocky Point Fire
Keno Fire
US Forest Service

Klamath Falls News coverage of the 2020 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

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242 Fire over 12,500 acres [VIDEO]