Firefighters Friday made progress on the Frog Fire burning in the Maury Mountains on the Ochoco National Forest seven miles east of Prineville.
Crews have the 3,997-acre fire 10% contained as of Saturday morning, said Incident Commander Doug Johnson
Milder weather reduced fire activity during the last operational period allowing firefighters to complete fireline on the majority of the incident perimeter.
On the most active edge of the fire, located in the northern section, crews were able to complete fireline and conducted a small burnout operation last night, Johnson said.
#FrogFire | 8/21 Evening Update: https://t.co/279ICVx1GM pic.twitter.com/xCrv18YKfU
— Central OR Fire Info (@CentralORFire) August 22, 2020
Burnouts are the intentional placement of low intensity fire on the landscape, and conducted in order reduce the fuel load in an area prior to the arrival of a fire edge. Crews on the northern flanks will work today strengthening and patrolling the line.
Firefighters will strengthen the southeast portion of the fireline by constructing a dozer line in conjunction with the existing handline. On the southeast flank containment lines are holding.
Crews will begin mop up and patrol. Due to erratic winds, fire fighters on all areas of the fire will continue to monitor for spot fires.
Afternoon and evening strong winds, steep terrain, and heavy amounts of dry, dead and down fuels are providing challenges to the firefighters.
A full suppression strategy is being utilized to minimize the impact to sage grouse habitat, private and federal grazing lands, and timber. Demand for firefighting resources is very high as reflected in the National Preparedness Level of 5. Large retardant air tankers, single engine air tankers and helicopters are being shared with other fires in Central Oregon.
Closures: Several road closures and an Area Closure have been implemented near the Frog Fire.
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office has closed the following roads:
On the south end:
· Roberts Road at Bear Creek
· Klootchman Creek Road at Bear Creek
· Salt Creek at Roberts Road
On the north end:
· Forest Service Road 16 at the junction of Forest Service Road 1610
