The Terwilliger Fire, near Blue River, has doubled in size. The blaze now burns over 3200 acres, on both sides of Cougar Reservoir.
Despite around the clock firefighting, the blaze is still just 1 percent contained. Officials say the fire has moved north towards Cougar Dam and westerly upslope toward the forest service boundary.
Nick Mickel is a Public Information Officer for the Terwilliger Fire. He says crews are working from an anchor point to the west, building a fire line with heavy equipment to check the spread.
“The farther north you go then you start getting into the Hwy. 126 corridor and the structures and the residence along that area. In addition to that there are campgrounds that the Forest Service is interested in, boat launches, restroom facilities and things like that.”
As if the smoke in the air isn’t enough warning, Mickel urges the public to be aware of fire danger when recreating. No camp fires are allowed anywhere in wilderness areas and only in designated camp grounds on forest property.
“We can’t afford any new fire starts right now. Our resources are just tapped out.”
There will be a community meeting at the McKenzie High School old gym on Friday, August 24, at 7:30 pm.
Copyright 2018, KLCC.
