Cougar Peak Fire evening update for September 9, 2021.

Coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

COUGAR PEAK FIRE DETAILS

Cause:
Under investigation

Size:
37,000 Acres (estimated)

Containment: 0%

Resources
Personnel: 361
Type 1 Hand Crews: 1
Type 2 IA Hand Crews: 3
Type 2 Hand Crews: 3
Helicopters: 2
Engines: 36
Dozers: 3
Tenders: 11
Masticator: 1

Location:
15 Miles NW of Lakeview

Date of Origin:
September 7, 2021
1:45 PM

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – The Cougar Peak Fire was again very active today. The predicted southerly winds brought in gusts of up to 40 mph as the weather pattern moved through the fire area. It is estimated that the fire was close to doubling in size throughout the afternoon and by nightfall the fire had crossed over Clover Flat Road, making the fire an estimated 37,000 acres.

Early in the day, resources worked to strengthen containment lines on the southern portion of the fire. Crews burned out dozer line and utilized existing road systems to strengthen and secure the southerly edge of the fire. Extreme winds proved to be challenging and the fire crossed into the Cottonwood Creek area. Crews continued to work the southern edge of the fire throughout the day working on establishing an anchor point. Early in the day air resources were able to help crews on the ground, with helicopter water drops and Single Engine Air Tankers laying retardant. Winds and smoke grounded air resources in the early afternoon.

OSFM structure task forces with engines and water tenders began the day identifying structural protection needs around the fire. As wind moved through the fire area, resources were moved to the northern side of the fire to provide structural protection to ranches and property. Three task forces of 15 engines and 3 water tenders will remain out on the fire overnight. Resources will be working through the night to establish containment lines on both the southern and northern edges of the fire area. Burnout operations are planned on the southern front along State Hwy 31 and west of U.S. Hwy 395, south of Valley Falls.

Behavior
Critical fire spread was seen throughout the fire today. The potential of thunderstorms remains in the area through tomorrow afternoon, with the potential of creating erratic winds to fan the flames. Precipitation is expected throughout the evening into early Friday morning and winds are forecasted to be less than the last two days.

Command
Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock, joined Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Incident Management Blue Team, Scott Magers Incident Commander, in unified command, in management of the Cougar Peak Fire this morning. The incident command post is located at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeview.

The Conflagration Act has been invoked by Governor Brown which allows multi-agency structure protection resources to be mobilized from throughout the state to protect homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure threatened by the Cougar Peak Fire. Taskforces (four to six engines and a water tender) have arrived from Clatsop, Lane, Linn, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Marion Counties.

Both Incident Management Teams appreciate the work completed to date by the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) Type 3 Incident Management Team and the smooth transition in managing the Cougar Peak Fire.

Weather
The Red Flag Warning remains in effect through 5 p.m. Friday for strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and abundant lightning on dry fuels. The National Weather Service in Medford extended the end time of the Red Flag Warning, replacing the Fire Weather Watch.

Evacuations
Multiple Evacuation Levels have been issued by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Cougar Peak Fire evacuation map for September 9, 2021. Click for larger.

Additional Information

Klamath Falls News & Cascade Firewatch’s coverage of the 2021 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

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