Black Crater Fire Update VII

The Black Crater Fire increased in size to 8,500 acres overnight, mostly due to the backfiring operations. The fire is still crowning along a wide front, however, and morning winds are launching large embers over the lines, as well as into forest areas without roads or firetrails. Only a small percentage of the fire perimeter is trailed or manned with pumpers and crews.

From the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center at 1:14PM:

Black Crater Fire, Sunday, 30 July 2006 at 1:14 pm

Acres 8500.00 Square Miles 13.28
Percent Contained 5
Threatened Structures 300
Expected Containment unknown
Cause Lightning
More Info Fire Information: 541-549-3211, 541-549-3187, 541-549-8085, 541-549-3208, 541-549-3214

A 7 mile burnout operation was accomplished, putting black between the fire and the affected communities. Acreage incease is from the burnout operation.

Status An evacuation notice remains in place for the Crossroads, Edington and Tollgate subdivisions On 7/27 a Linfield College cabin was destroyed. The fire made a northeast run yesterday afternoon, with torching and longer range spotting.

The phrase “putting black” refers to the backfiring. Backfiring works better in some fuel arrangements than others. It does not work well in dense forests with enormous fuel loadings. Some (or much) of what is burning was burned three years ago in the B and B Fire, so it has already been backfired. The dead, dry fuel loading is greater than it was before the B and B Fire.

But we hope the backfiring works, regardless of our expectations.