Two Four Two: Evacuations lifted, roads open

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A fire crew works on a hotspot at the base of a Ponderosa Pine tree off Oregon Highway 422. September 15, 2020. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)

A fire crew works on a hotspot at the base of a Ponderosa Pine tree off Oregon Highway 422. September 15, 2020. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)

CHILOQUIN, Ore. – Holding at 14,536 acres Chiloquin residents were able to breathe a sigh of relief after a week of anxiety. As at noon Tuesday all evacuations were lifted surrounding the Two Four Two Fire; and residents were able to return home. By mid afternoon, Oregon Highways 62 & 422, and Modoc Point Road had been reopened for all traffic.

An American flag waves in the breeze at the end of a driveway on ORE422. September 15, 2020. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)

Oregon Highway 97 reopened to flowing traffic two days earlier.

Firefighters have worked diligently to reinforce fire lines surrounding the fire. Further protecting unburned forests against afternoon trade winds typical of the Upper Klamath Basin. Crews will continue to work inside the fires perimeter to extinguish hotspots.

Some areas not yet extinguished may continue to smolder producing light smoke in the area.

As soon as evacuations were lifted, calls from state officials began reassigning resources to other fires. Including dozers, water tenders, engines, and air support.

Klamath Falls News thanks all the fire and law enforcement personnel for a job well done in gaining control of the fire and keeping it from becoming a larger disaster.

NEW UNRELATED GRASS FIRE
An unrelated grass fire ignited in a solar farm east of Rainbow Park and northeast of Chiloquin today and is estimated to be 15 acres. The fire is burning between and under rows of solar panels. At last update, fire crews were monitoring the fire until they could gain access to the secured property.

Only concrete, walls, a chimney, and foundations remain of historic buddings in Agency. September 15, 2020. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)

PLANNED INCIDENT ACTIVITY

  • 12 hours: Spread potential is still high and firefighter safety is a concern due to access to fire and steep terrain, including spread towards Cinnamon Butte.

  • 24 hours: Spread potential is still high and firefighter safety is a concern due to access to fire and steep terrain. Future growth is expected.

  • 48 hours: Will monitor weather to see if weather moderations develop.

The melted frame and chard logs of Kornish Forest Contracting Inc. log truck is found along the side of ORE62. September 15, 2020. (Image: Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)

WEATHER CONCERNS

Warm and dry conditions persisted through the weekend with smoke limiting daytime high temperatures. Humidities will generally improve over the next few days, especially overnight recoveries. Daytime humidities will remain low.

 

MORE IMAGES

Klamath Falls News producer/owner Brian Gailey was able to visit inside the Two Four Two Fire to see the extend of the damages.

“Although a few structures were lost, like the buildings at Agency, it is not as bad as I had anticipated,” said Gailey.

Below are some of the images from this afternoon.

TWO FOUR TWO FIRE DETAILS

Cause:
Under Investigation

Size: 14,536 acres

Containment: 15%

Location: Northwest of Chiloquin, Ore.

Estimated Cost: $3.3 Million

Resources:
 • 500 Personnel
 • 9 Hand Crews
• 36 Engines
• 17 Dozers
• 14 Water Tenders
• 4 Helicopters
• Air support as available

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

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