Beachie Creek Fire Update – Monday, October 19, 2020  

Beachie Creek Fire Quick Facts  Approx. Size: 193,573 ac.    Containment: 80%

Total Personnel:   52    Start Date: August 16, 2020    Cause: Under Investigation

 

General Information: This will be the final daily update for the Beachie Creek Fire. The Inciweb page and Beachie Creek Fire Facebook page will be updated for the next several days as the Type 3 team concludes their assignment but will not be maintained through the winter. Fire information will be provided on the Willamette National Forest and Northwest Oregon BLM homepages or through social media channels as needed. For additional information, please visit Inciweb using the QR code or visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7001/. 

Suppression repair work is still the focus for fire crews. This includes excavator operations repairing fire lines, which are wrapping up on the Beachie Creek fire. There is still chipping being done along the 46 road for the Lionshead fire. Crews are making progress towards Brietenbush, but the road is still closed for the safety of workers and drivers.  

There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at the Beachie Creek incident command post and personnel are still maintaining COVID protocols. These protocols include the 3 W’s: washing hands, wearing masks, and watching for 6-feet distancing.  

“Our focus is preventative measures. As teams have transitioned in and out, we have maintained vigilant awareness. When interacting with the public, we have kept a respectful distance and request the same in return.”-Zebron Watts, Medical Unit Leader  

All evacuation levels have been lifted for Clackamas, Marion, and Linn counties.  

Weather and Fire Behavior: Weather remains cool and mostly cloudy with a 10% chance of rain today. A weak cool front will present drier conditions with humidity levels around 60-70%. The weather today will be mostly dry and cloudy, with temperatures ranging from 58-63°F. There will be a mild western wind. Fire behavior continues to remain minimal.  

With minimal fire behavior, there are still safety concerns. Newly opened, unpaved roads are muddy and susceptible to rock falls due to erosion from the fire event and winds. Burn areas remain closed due to ash pits that can continue to smolder long after the wildfire event, in addition to falling trees that can cause serious injury and death. Members of the public should look for closure updates from the following resources:  

• Willamette National Forest www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574   
• Bureau of Land Management www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions. 
• Road Closures on TripCheck: www.tripcheck.com/ 

 

After Wildfire Resources: For information regarding assistance after a wildfire about timber salvage, landowner assistance and replanting see the following website: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/Pages/afterafire.aspx