SAMS VALLEY, Ore. – Firefighters continued making steady progress throughout the day Sunday as crews expanded mop up operations, advanced suppression repair, and removed hose and equipment from areas where they are no longer needed.
An infrared-equipped UAS conducted thermal reconnaissance over the fire area, locating remaining hotspots along the north left side of the fire. Ground crews are systematically gridding those areas and extinguishing the remaining heat. The UAS continues to help firefighters detect residual heat signatures that are hidden beneath vegetation or otherwise difficult to identify from the ground. Light interior smoke is expected to continue as isolated pockets of heavier fuels slowly consume within the established fire perimeter.
The fire remains at 15,580 acres and is 90% contained. Firefighters continue making steady progress with mop up operations, daily reconnaissance, and backhauling hose and equipment from completed areas. Suppression repair efforts are also moving forward, with crews restoring impacted locations while chippers process brush and small trees to help clean up areas used during suppression activities.
Monday is under a Red Flag Warning beginning at 2:00 p.m. A Red Flag Warning indicates weather conditions that can contribute to rapid fire growth. Forecasted conditions include temperatures in the mid-90s to around 100 degrees, afternoon winds with gusts up to 25 mph, and very low relative humidity between 12% and 19%.