UPDATE: July 8, 2021
The Idiot Creek Area off of Highway 6 is re-opened to public access. Even with the recent cool, damp weather the area remains in High Fire Danger as fuel moistures are still low and the warm weather trend continues.
Thanks to Ryan from the mountain bike community who reported a fire start he observed in the Idiot Creek area off of Highway 6 late Saturday afternoon. Oregon Department of Forestry fire crews and deputies from the Tillamook County Sheriff's Department responded to the area to find an active fire in the understory of a dense timber stand off of Game Hog Creek Road.
Fire crews worked to stop the fire through the night challenged by dry conditions and tough terrain. As of 2:45 PM on Sunday, the fire was sitting at about 6 acres in size and fire fighting helicopters had been called in to support fire crews working on the line. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
This fire is a reminder that even the coastal forests of Oregon are tinder dry after a prolonged period of high temperatures and no significant rainfall. While the Tillamook State Forest does see cooler evenings, higher humidities and even morning clouds due to its proximity to the coast, this is not enough to change the high fire danger conditions.
The Oregon Department of Forestry continues to ask folks to leave fireworks at home as they are prohibited on State Forest lands at this time and to obey all fire regulations currently in place.
Thank-you for your help in keeping Oregon's forests green!