FOREST GROVE,
Ore. – Steep terrain where the Game Hog Creek Fire is burning in the Tillamook
State Forest has made it difficult for firefighters to deepen their control
lines encircling the fire. Yesterday the fire pushed through those lines to
burn three more acres.
A helicopter has been helping with air drops of water onto the fire. It will be joined by another helicopter today, with an additional helicopter also expected on Saturday. The water they drop will help cool hot spots so that embers in the interior of the fire have less chance of being blown across control lines.
Helicopter dipping 1300 gallon bucket to deliver water to the Game Hog Creek Fire.
About 80
ground crew remain engaged on the wildfire, which is entirely within the state
forest in timber and slash. Their goal today is to extend control lines down to
Elk Creek. Cooler air
from the ocean has moved over the fire today, which should aid firefighters.
The Tillamook State Forest remains open to visitors with the exception of Drift Creek and Idiot Creek forest roads and the Fear and Loaming mountain bike trail. These are closed due to fire activity in the area. Rogers Camp trailhead is being used as a staging area for firefighters and is also closed to the public. Highway 6 and 26 to the coast remain open and unaffected by the fire.
No evacuations are associated with this fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
