Canal Creek Fire Slows, Weather Increases Hope for Firefighters

Wet weather and the combined aggressive efforts of fire crews on the ground, raise chances of the fire being under control soon.

Tanker Drop at Canal Crk Fire Photo courtesy: inciweb.org

(DETROIT, Ore.) - The Canal Creek fire has now been held to 283 acres for a few days and is at 90% containment as of Saturday morning.

Many of the area road closures have now been lifted. The Quartzville Road (Road 11) is now completely open and accessible from Sweet Home to Highway 22. The Monument Peak Road (Road 2202) is completely open.

The Kinney Creek Road (Road 2212) is now completely open from Detroit Dam to the intersection with the Quartzville Road.

Smaller spur roads in the area of the fire are still closed, including the 1131, 1133 and the 640 spur off the Monument Peak Road.

The Kinney Creek arm of Detroit Reservoir remains closed, as helicopters are still operating in the area and using this as a drafting source.

The helicopter base has also been moved from Gates to the Outdoor Event Center in Sweet Home. As of 6:00 a.m. this morning, the fire has been handed over to a smaller Type III management team, headed by John Poet.

With wet weather expected for the next few days, combined with the aggressive efforts of fire crews on the ground and in the air, this fire may be under control very soon.