DAYVILLE — Lower humidity levels made for higher fire activity on the Rail Ridge Fire, fire managers said in an update on Wednesday, Oct. 2, with winds blowing smoke east up the John Day Valley.

The fire, burning just south of Dayville, has now consumed 166,500 acres and is 83% contained. A total of 807 firefighting personnel are assigned to the blaze.

The weather Tuesday contributed to an ongoing drying trend, making fuels more available to burn even while temperatures begin to drop. In the Black Canyon Wilderness, the fire advanced up the ridge east of Honeymoon Creek, sending a noticeable smoke plume that was blown back into the fire perimeter with the southwest winds.

Black Canyon Creek worked as a slowing point to hold the fire in check. This will be an area of focus Wednesday as firefighters strengthen existing lines ahead of winds out of the north that will push the fire southward.

Difficult terrain and limited access in the northern half of the fire, along with persistently dry weather and heavy fuel loading, will contribute to fire growth in the Black Canyon Wilderness.

In the northern divisions, firefighting efforts have added more containment to the fire perimeter in steep and challenging ground. Additional acres of burned area are producing smoke that is visible.

In the southern divisions, mop-up is ongoing as crews engage in patrol and repair. Suppression repair will be a key focus on areas of the fire that already show containment.

A critical dry streak lingered over the fire area again Wednesday and the relative humidity will range from 9-14%, which is extremely low for this time of year. Light winds out of the north return on Wednesday, bringing near-normal temperatures to the region, lowering into the mid-60s.

Level 1 and 2 evacuation zones for the Rail Ridge Fire remain in Grant County.

For current evacuation levels all affected counties, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have implemented closures for the Rail Ridge Fire. For more details and closure maps, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

Acres: 166,500

Containment: 83%

Detection: 09/02/24

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 807