Fire crews continue the battle of the Crane Fire [UPDATED]

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Virtual Public Meeting scheduled for tonight (8/21/20) at 5:15 PM

A fire crew clears brush along the 261 Road on the #CraneFire. (Image: USFS / Inciweb)

A fire crew clears brush along the 261 Road on the #CraneFire. (Image: USFS / Inciweb)

UPDATED: 3:48 PM, 8/21/2020
Updated to include information on the radio broadcast of the virtual community meeting

LAKEVIEW, Ore. - The Crane Fire grew 144 acres overnight to now total 2,474 acres in the Lakeview Ranger District, 10 miles southwest of Lakeview, Oregon. According to inciweb.com, as of August 21, 2020 the Crane Fire is the 5th largest fire in Oregon for the 2020 wildfire season. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Northwest IMT 12 is coordinating with the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Fremont-Winema National Forest to hold a pair of Virtual Information Meeting on the Crane Fire this evening. The first meeting will be held at 5:15 PM on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/allaboutlakecounty). A second meeting will be streamed in Spanish starting at 6:00 PM (www.facebook.com/camaradecomerciolake).  The meetings will have the same key information shared, although questions may vary.

For those in Lakeview, the 5:15 PM meeting will also be aired on the radio at 93.5 KORV.

After the meeting, the video will be posted on both Lake County Chamber of Commerce sites, as well as on the Fremont-Winema National Forest page at www.facebook.com/R6FWNF and the SCOFMP page at www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO for those who would like to view the meeting later.

Today’s weather will be sunny and smoky, with a high temperature of 80 degrees and winds 18-22 mph gusting to 25-30 mph in the afternoon.

Smoke impacts from fires in California are expected to worsen over the next few days and continue to affect Lakeview and New Pine Creek. This smoke layer over the fire dampens fire activity and limits the ability of helicopters to operate over the fire for water drops. Fire activity is expected to increase when the smoke layer lifts mid-afternoon.

A Type 1 helicopter assigned to the fire was loaned to another incident today. Bucket work continued in Div-A to support burn operations and in Div-D to attempt to slow the fire spread.

Burning operations in Div-Z are planned for tonight.

Burning operations in Div-B last night resulted in many spots west and north (in Div-A) of the control lines where the fire burned onto private lands. All spots were suppressed but as a result a cost share agreement was entered into with ODF. Burning operations were completed in Div-B. The spots in Div-A forced crews to secure the area through burning operation sooner than originally planned.

Overnight the fire also burned down to the 3915 road in Div-Z. Resources spent today planning and beginning to secure that area sooner than originally planned.

Part of the fire area and the lands south of the fire area are designated roadless areas. There are many natural resources at risk near the fire including wetlands and scab-lands. The area sees heavy recreation use including camping, hiking and is well known for hunting opportunities.

A firefighter walks along the 261 Road on the #CraneFire (Image: USFS / Inciweb)

Yesterday’s Operations
Fire crews were able to secure the remaining spot fires from Wednesday night’s burning operations and worked on strengthening control lines on the western side of the fire. The fire burned to the 3915 road in some areas on the eastern side of the fire, and firefighters engaged the fire where it spotted across the 3915 road.  Fire crews will continue to secure and patrol areas along the fireline.

Today’s Operations
Firefighters will work on strengthening control lines on the western flank of the fire and will also prepare for additional burning to secure the control line along the 3915 road. Fire crews continue to build indirect control line looking for opportunities to decrease the fire perimeter.

Planned Incident Activity
12 hours: Backing and flanking with moderate fire behavior along the perimeter in areas of heavy surface fuels that are unlined. Occasional torching and short range spotting.

24 hours: Backing and flanking with moderate fire behavior along the perimeter in areas of heavy surface fuels that are unlined. Occasional torching and short range spotting.

48 hours: Backing and flanking with moderate fire behavior along the perimeter in areas of heavy surface fuels that are unlined. Occasional torching and short range spotting.

72 hours: Backing and flanking with moderate fire behavior along the perimeter in areas of heavy surface fuels that are unlined. Occasional torching and short range spotting.

A bulldozer is being transported to the fire line on the 3915 Road of the #CraneFire. (Image: USFS/Inciweb)

Weather Concerns
The high pressure system in the desert southwest and the upper level low in the northeast Pacific continue to weaken, but show little movement. This keeps the region in a southwest flow.

Temperatures are a few degrees warmer today with highs around 80. Relative humidity dropped into the mid to upper teens. Ridgetop winds remain southwest with gusts around 25 mph. This pattern is expected to continue through Sunday.

No changes to the overall pattern of southwest flow over the region. A weak frontal system will move through Washington state and just brush northern Oregon on Friday. The main effect on the Crane fire will be slightly higher relative humidity and stronger ridgetop gusts. Moisture from tropical Genevieve looks like it will make it into the area by Sunday night and will result in a chance of showers Monday night and possible thunderstorms Tuesday.

Evacuations and Closures
The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-02-20-01 for the area between Hwy 140 and the Oregon/California Stateline; and from the Forest Boundary on the west to Forest Roads 3610, 3910, 3910-019 to the Forest Boundary and Road 3915 to the Stateline. This emergency order closes the Twin Springs, Willow Creek, and Deep Creek Campgrounds; Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads; the Crane Mountain Trail and the Oregon Timber Trail from the Stateline north to the Camas Sno-Park.

Safety Message
Hwy 140 remains open. Please be aware of increased fire traffic in the fire area, as well as surrounding communities. Slow down and use caution around fire equipment.

The team is working in concert with Lake Health District to protect the community from the threat of COVID-19

Crane Fire Details

Cause:
Under Investigation

Size:
2,474 Acres

Containment:
15%

Location:
10 Miles southeast of Lakeview Oregon.

Resources:
461 Personnel
13 Hand Crews
15 Engines
5 Dozers
6 Tenders
5 Helicopters
1 Aircraft

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