The Terwilliger Fire has burned over 9,500 acres and containment on Wednesday is at 35%. In addition to the crews fighting and analyzing fire behavior, there are those assigned to perform structural assessments of area homes and businesses.
Terwilliger Fire crews have put extensive focus on things of value that could be put at risk by fire. Structures, particularly homes, are not immediately threatened by the blaze which continues to burn wilderness to the northeast and south. Fire official Brandon Cadwell says the crews are assessing structures for anything that creates a fire danger.
“So they are going door to door in the entire kind of river valley corridor,” Cadwell says, “and surrounding applicable areas and conducting those assessments for making those plans for the ‘what ifs.’”
‘What ifs’ could be additional fire starts by humans. Cadwell reminds us there is a total fire ban—no campfires, no smoking-- throughout the Willamette National Forest including designated wilderness areas.