The Camp Creek Fire in the Bull Run Watershed northeast of Sandy was sparked by lightning on Thursday, Aug. 24. As of Aug. 28, it had grown to more than 1,600 acres. Warm and dry weather conditions on Aug. 26 led to moderately active fire behavior, and the fire grew mainly to the southwest.

Bull Run Watershed is a dense temperate rainforest with a lot of down and dead trees, and deep forest duff. This abundance of material provided plenty of tinder, dry and receptive fuel, causing the fire to create a large smoke column relative to its size. Warm and very dry weather conditions are expected to continue into the near future, with continued active fire behavior, increasing impact of smoke and significant fire growth likely.

The Great Basin Incident Management Team 1 took command of the fire on Aug. 27. Current resources assigned to the incident include: two helicopters, two scooper aircraft and 231 total personnel. Firefighters are focusing on full suppression of the fire, using water dropped from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to limit its growth. Ground crews are utilizing existing barriers of Forest Roads 12 and 14 to increase the fuel break. Crews on the ground face numerous safety hazards, including threats posed by falling fire-weakened trees and travel on narrow, winding roads.

As of Monday, Aug. 28, there are no fire-related closures or evacuations, but people in the area should be prepared for both. Clackamas County residents can sign up to receive critical emergency messaging via e-mail, phone call and text: www.clackamas.us/dm/publicalerts.

An information phone line has been established and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., which can be reached by calling 503-427-8324. You can also e-mail to request information at:
2023.campcreek@firenet.gov

For up-to-date information on this breaking story, please visit the following websites for more information.

Incident Information: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/ormhf-camp-creek-fire

Facebook page for Camp Creek Fire with fire updates and information:
facebook.com/campcreekfire

Air Quality Information: airnow.gov/?city=Sandy&state=OR&country=USA

For more information regarding the fire’s effect on the Bull Run Watershed, go to: www.portland.gov/water/camp-creek-fire

There are TFR (temporary flight restrictions) over the fire area and drone use is illegal.