Dry Gulch Fire Daily Update 9/16/15

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 3

LINK SMITH, INCIDENT COMMANDER

DRY GULCH FIRE

September 16, 2015 Update

Halfway, OR – More than 80 residents received good news about the Dry Gulch Fire at a community meeting held at the Halfway Elementary School last night. Fire officials shared that the rain that fell on the fire in the past 24 hours has helped immensely in the fire suppression effort. The fire, that is now 18,272 acres and 55 percent contained, is not expected to grow much more. Firefighters have started mopping up hot spots near the fire’s perimeter to prevent any chance of further spread.

Evacuation levels have been eased based on decreased fire behavior and threat. Homes located north of Orr Lane are now under a level 1 evacuation notification (Ready). Homes south of Orr Lane and west of Posey Ditch remain in evacuation level 2 (Get Set). All other evacuation level notifications have been lifted.

Favorable weather with forecasted rain is expected to continue through Thursday. While the rain is a welcome relief, it is by no means considered to be a fire season ending event. The public should continue to exercise caution when working or recreating outdoors. Fire restrictions remain in place, including smoking, campfires and off road driving. Check with your local fire protection agency for specific fire restrictions in your area or log on to www.oregon.gov/odf to access Oregon Department of Forestry’s interactive fire restrictions map.

To stay current on fire information, visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/drygulchfire2015 or at www.oregon.gov/odf. To check on this fire and others across the country, visit www.inciweb.nwcg.gov.

###