The Terwilliger Fire in the Willamette National Forest doubled in size. It is now over 3,200 acres and 1% contained. Officials report the fire has burned through a popular recreation site known as Cougar Hot Springs.
The natural springs had only just re-opened after a massive rock slide last December.
Nick Mickel is a fire spokesman. He says it’s been difficult to ascertain the full extent of the damage to Cougar Hot Springs.
“There’s a lot of hazard trees, rolling rocks and debris on the road that we need to clear out of the way. There’s many, many tall trees that have burned through that are now coming down on that road. So until we can make that road secure and then secure the hot springs area itself, nobody can go in there and do a good quality assessment.”
In addition to Forest Service Road 19 to the Hot Springs, there are a number of other closures in the area. Mickel says more than 195 fire personnel are working the Terwilliger Fire and additional crews and resources are coming to assist.