Crews on the Medco B Fire, located 10 miles north/northeast of Butte Falls, are continuing to mop up this morning. The containment level has increased over the past day to 92-percent, and furthering that containment is our goal today. Our lines held overnight, and the fire remains at 345 acres. Due to our recent progress, our total personnel is decreasing from 118 to 96. We’ve also pulled a dozer from line, and our nightshift has transitioned to patrol.
Spot fires remain a concern today; firefighters will be on the lookout for any flames flaring up with potential winds. The area where the fire is burning is susceptible to upslope winds, which helped the fire to spread initially.
The Medco B Fire first broke out on Saturday afternoon across two logging units on private land; one that had been recently felled and bucked, the other logged several years earlier.
The investigation into the cause remains open. No evacuations have been issued and no road closures are in place.
ODF Southwest Oregon District would like to thank our partners who have assisted us, including the U.S. Forest Service Hot Shots.
The Medco B Fire, located 10 miles north/northeast of Butte Falls, is 345 acres in size and is 90 percent contained. The fire line was completed Sunday afternoon.
Medco B Fire
The fire broke out early Saturday afternoon and upslope winds during the afternoon and early evening hours on Saturday pushed the fire across logging units on private land. One of the units had been recently felled and bucked, and the other had been logged several years earlier.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
More than 100 firefighters are assigned to fire suppression effort today, and they will be holding and improving the fire line, and extinguishing burning material within 50 feet of the line. Equipment available to the firefighters includes five water tenders, six wildland fire engines and three bulldozers. Aircraft are available if needed.
No structures are threatened by the fire, no evacuations have been made, and no roads are closed.
Reported yesterday, the Medco B fire is located near Medco Pond just east of Hwy 62 outside Butte Falls. As of this evening, the fire is reported at 90% lined and 345 acres and the cause is under investigation.
“Big thanks to our partners with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for the interagency coordination,” said ODF’s Southwest Oregon District Forester, Dave Larson. “The success of our strong partnerships is especially appreciated during these pre-season fires and warmer conditions.”
Resources included a Type 1 helicopter (Saturday), multiple tenders, dozers, hand crews, and a USFS 20 person hot shot crew. Crews will continue strengthening the perimeter, eliminating hot spots, and working to mop-up the fire.
