DAYVILLE — Despite modest fire growth, containment also continues to expand around the Rail Ridge Fire in southwestern Grant County, fire managers reported in an update on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

The fire burning just south of Dayville now covers a little over 164,000 acres and is 61% contained. A total of 1,255 personnel are assigned to combat the blaze.

An increase in fire activity along the western edge of the Rail Ridge Fire produced a large smoke column Tuesday afternoon.

Shifting winds moved the fire northward toward a control line created with tactical burning operations over the last few shifts. These lines held the fire in check along Coffee Pot Ridge, where hotshot crews and aerial resources were engaged to catch any spot fires.

Another shift in wind is expected Wednesday, with gusts up to 40 mph, along with high temperatures and low relative humidities. Active fire behavior is expected again Wednesday afternoon. Fire activity is expected to increase midafternoon and will produce a visible smoke column.

Crews will continue to strengthen and reinforce containment lines along the western edge in the Black Canyon Wilderness and along the northern edge near Aldrich Mountain.

Mop-up and suppression repair efforts are underway around the perimeter of the fire where containment has been established.

The BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry are working in coordination to prioritize and complete suppression repair on federal, state and private lands. Landowners can submit a request for suppression repair assistance here: https://tinyurl.com/RailRidgeRepair.

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

For current evacuation levels in Wheeler, Crook and Grant counties, visit: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

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

Rail Ridge Fire at a Glance

Acres: 164,158

Containment: 61%

Detection Date: Sept 2, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Total resources: 1,255