Rail Fire nears containment

Published 8:22 am Tuesday, September 6, 2016

The Rail Fire is 41,716 acres and is 85 percent contained, according to a press release from the management team.

Mop-up and repair assignments are nearing completion as firefighters are being demobilized for rest and reassignment to other fires. Crews are using heavy equipment to repair roads and fire lines as well as building water bars and reworking side-slopes to prevent erosion.

Rain Tuesday was expected to help containment lines hold. Areas around the fire remain closed as do parts of Forest Road 16 and Forest Road 2652.

The fire is currently staffed by 624 people: 18 crews, 13 engines, one dozer, 16 water tenders, one masticator and four helicopters.

Malheur National Forest officials reduced the Industrial Fire Precaution Level to Level III on Tuesday and reduced the fire danger rating to High.

Campfires are still not allowed; only liquid and bottle gas stoves and heaters are permitted. Chainsaw use is prohibited. No internal combustion engine operation is permitted, with the exception of motor vehicles.

Electrical generators are allowed only if the generator is placed in an area 10 feet in diameter that is cleared of flammable material, or is fully contained within a pickup truck bed. Recreational vehicles with generators must have the exhaust discharge centered in a 10-foot area that is cleared of flammable material.

Off-road/off-trail vehicle travel on roads not cleared of standing grass or other flammable material is not allowed. Vehicle travel on Forest Service roads that are closed is not allowed.

Smoking is only allowed within vehicles, buildings and developed recreation sites or when stopped in an area cleared of all flammable material.

For more information call 541-446-3592 or email Railwildfire@gmail.com.