Oregon's Fire Crews Push On Through Intense Temps And Smoke

Brian Bull

Across Oregon, fire crews are working under a red flag warning today and Friday due to searing triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions.

On the southeast edge of the Middle Fork Complex outside of Oakridge – LL (Lima Lima) Division Supervisor Todd Light said crews are doing what they can to beat the heat.

Division LL Supervisor Todd Light pauses to talk about containment efforts on the Middle Fork Complex during a blistering summer afternoon.
Credit Brian Bull / KLCC

“Take breathers now and then, make sure people are taking breaks and not overdoing it, so we don’t get into heat exhaustion, or dehydration, or cramps, any of that stuff," Light told KLCC.

"We try not to work in the heat of the day with burning operations, but the fire’s kinda been dictating that because it gets active and starts forcing our hand by pushing up against our line.”

The east side of Oakridge is at a Level 2 or “get set” alert; the rest of the town is at Level 1, or “get ready”. 

The Middle Fork Complex is nearing 6,300 acres, and is 2% contained. More than 700 personnel are on the scene.

Oakridge Evacuation Levels as of Thursday afternoon, 8/12/2021.
Credit Lane County government website

Copyright 2021, KLCC. 

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Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.