UPDATE August 2, 2020--The Crane Fire near Lakeview has grown to 2,918 acres as of Sunday morning, according to forestry officials.
The fire is 25 percent contained, and officials believe the cause of the fire to have been lighting. Over 500 personnel
Sunday's operations, Firefighters say they are being cautiously optimistic that they can complete control lines around most of the fire.
Fire crews continue mop-up work on the western and northern portions of the fire.
Work is ongoing to complete control lines in the challenging terrain of the largely roadless southeastern portion of the fire.
Firefighters have been preparing control lines for the forecast winds.
Red Flag Warning conditions expected for the next two days, according to fire crews.
There is an initial attack group of firefighters and engines ready for any new fire starts, and these resources will be positioned to respond if the need arises.
Resources wokring on the fire include :
Hand Crews:14
Engines:17
Dozers:6
Water Tenders:7
AIRCRAFT:
Helicopters:5
Fixed Wing:1
UPDATE August 22, 2020--The Crane Fire near Lakeview has grown to roughly 2,474 acres as of Saturday morning, according to forestry officials.
The fire is 15 percent contained, and officials believe the cause of the fire to have been lighting.
Saturday's operations include Firefighters continuing burnout operations along the 3915 road to remove unburned fuels between the control line and the fire.
In the southeastern portion of the fire, firefighters continue to build indirect control line and are evaluating options for direct control line construction. This largely roadless area SE of the fire is challenging firefighters working to minimize the fire footprint in this rugged terrain.
Resources working on the Crane Fire include:
Hand Crews:13
Engines:16
Dozers:6
Water Tenders:6
With aircraft operations:
Helicopters: 5
Fixed Wing: 1
The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order between Highway 140 and the Oregon/California Stateline; and the Forest Boundary and Road 3915 to the Stateline.
This emergency order closes the Twin Springs, Willow Creek, and Deep Creek Campgrounds; Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads; the Crane Mountain Trail and the Oregon Timber Trail from the Stateline north to the Camas Sno-Park.
LAKEVIEW, Ore. -- A fire discovered Sunday on Crane Mountain near Lakeview has grown to roughly 1,900 acres as of Monday morning, according to forestry officials.
Smoke from the fire is visible not only in Lakeview, but throughout the surrounding area.
"The town of Lakeview is not threatened by the fire, however there are likely to be smoke impacts," the U.S. Forest Service said on Sunday. "Those with smoke sensitivity should take precautionary measures."
The agency said that the Crane Fire is burning in mixed conifer on steep terrain. Fire behavior has included some "torching" of trees. A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 11 p.m. on Monday night as fire crews brace for the possibility of abundant lightning strikes on dry fuel throughout the area.
"Fire managers will be closely monitoring weather conditions throughout the day and related fire behavior," USFS said.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, numerous ground and air resources are currently fighting the fire, with more on the way. The response includes multiple state and federal agencies with engines, dozers, helicopters, air attack, heavy air tankers and single-engine air tankers (SEATs).
A local Type 3 Incident Management Team is currently on the scene, and a Type 2 Team is expected to transition in late tomorrow.
Willow Creek and Twin Springs Campgrounds and the Crane Mountain Trailhead were evacuated on Sunday, and law enforcement officers were notifying others recreating in the area of the threat. Private landowners and residents in the South Warners were also notified.
Recreation sites in the South Warner Mountains outside Lakeview are currently closed and the public is advised to avoid the area.
This is a developing story and we will post more details when they become available.