This is the final update about the Cleveland Ridge Fire unless conditions change.
The number of hot spots remaining inside the Cleveland Ridge Fire’s fire line is dwindling as burning vegetation either naturally burns out, or firefighters extinguish them. The day shift’s objective is to put out all hot spots within 300 feet of the fire line, and go farther when it is warranted.
The fire remains at 530 acres and is 80 percent contained. Today, 130 firefighters are working on the fire. Last night, 85 firefighters continued the mop-up operation and patrolled the fire perimeter.
The number of private contract firefighters assigned to the Cleveland Ridge Fire will continue to decrease this weekend until the final mop-up operation is turned over to seven 10-man crews from the Oregon Department of Corrections. They will be supported by a small fleet of wildland fire engines and water tenders, as well as fallers to cut down hazardous trees. An air tanker, helicopters and bulldozers will be available from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District, based in Central Point.
The fire burned on private and Bureau of Land Management forestland 5 miles north/northwest of Shady Cove. Rehabilitation projects to protect the landscape against undue erosion and invasive plants will begin as mop-up operations decrease.
