The Rail Ridge Fire has now burned 161,675 acres with containment increasing to 25%. A community meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. today at the Izee Schoolhouse, 45477 Izee-Paulina Lane, to provide updates and answer questions.
Progress and Evacuations
Thanks to cooperative firefighting efforts, significant progress has been made in containing the fire, especially around structures. As a result, evacuation levels have been downgraded for the Dayville area. For detailed evacuation information:
- Grant County: Some evacuation levels have been reduced. Check the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page for the latest updates.
- Crook County: Visit the Crook County Emergency Management website or the Crook County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
- Wheeler County: Check the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for real-time updates.
Structural Task Force Updates
With the reduced threat to structures, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will begin scaling back the number of structural task forces assigned to the Rail Ridge Fire over the next few days. Crews no longer needed will return to their home agencies, making valuable resources available to other communities. However, the OSFM will continue providing 24/7 structural protection in Dayville, South Fork Road, Fields Creek, and the Morgan Mountain areas.
Firefighting Efforts
Cooler weather and recent rains have helped firefighters strengthen protections around structures and allowed for more direct attacks on the fire. OSFM teams remain active in at-risk communities, ensuring no heat remains near buildings and mopping up within 150 feet of structures.
Crews are also working close to the fire’s edge to prevent new growth south of Dayville in Guyon Basin and are improving control lines eastward toward Aldrich Lookout. On the eastern edge of the fire, firefighters have secured control lines around Tuesday’s flare-up near Morgan Mountain and are mopping up remaining hot spots. Efforts are also underway to contain unburned patches of vegetation near Sugarloaf Mountain and reinforce lines toward Sage Hen Flat and O’Henry Reservoir.
Along the northwest edge of the fire, crews are patrolling lines from Suplee to the Black Canyon Wilderness Area and improving roads around Wolf Mountain to contain the fire’s spread. Despite lower fire activity overnight, crews remained vigilant, patrolling the fire’s perimeter and ensuring the safety of homes in the area.
Weather
Recent rain has slowed fire activity, but heavy fuels like logs and large trees still hold heat and could produce smoke as cooler, drier conditions return in the coming days. Winds will remain light, with gusts up to 10 mph.
Closures
The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have implemented partial closures due to the Rail Ridge and Crazy Creek Fires. For more information and maps of the closures, visit the Ochoco National Forest, Malheur National Forest, and BLM websites.
Firefighters remain committed to protecting communities and containing the fire as they make use of favorable weather conditions.