SAMS VALLEY, Ore. – Firefighters continued making steady progress Wednesday as crews worked through the fire area extinguishing remaining hotspots. Overnight, relative humidity recoveries reached the 80 to 90 percent range, and cooler temperatures created favorable conditions for mop up operations.

An infrared-equipped UAS mapped areas of lingering heat across the fire, helping firefighters quickly locate hotspots not visible from the ground. On the south side of the fire in the Dry Creek area, the UAS identified a few hotspots within the 300-foot mop up zone, where crews quickly extinguished the remaining heat. Light interior smoke will continue as isolated pockets of heavy fuels slowly burn within the fire perimeter.

The fire remains at 15,580 acres and is 78% contained. Firefighters continue mop up operations while conducting daily reconnaissance of the fire, backhauling hose and equipment from areas where it is no longer needed, and completing suppression repair. Chippers also remain active, processing brush and small trees removed during suppression activities.

Today’s forecast calls for warm, dry conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s to around 90 degrees, low relative humidity, and gusty afternoon breezes. Firefighters will continue extinguishing remaining hotspots and strengthening containment lines where needed.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place for the fire area daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_4915

Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal, compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters, and interferes with firefighting efforts.