Su River Fire contained, crews disperse

July 1, 2007

By Greg Johnson / Frontiersman

TRAPPER LAKE - Firefighting crews have contained the Su River Fire and were being released Saturday following 10 days of battling the blaze, which consumed nearly 8,500 acres.

As of 6 p.m. Friday, firefighters under the command of the Central Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team had gained 100 percent containment of the fire, said Earl Cordes, an information officer with the team. Started by lightning June 20, the past week's cooler temperatures and sporadic rains helped crews reach containment about 10 days earlier than first thought.

The weather &#8220definitely helped us,” Cordes said. &#8220The cooler and wet weather slowed down the fire immensely.”

Through Saturday, costs to fight the Su River Fire are estimated at about $1.6 million, Cordes said. Hundreds were on the ground and in the air at the fire's peak, but now four Type II firefighting crews and three hotshot groups are set to leave this weekend. Two Type II crews will remain to monitor the fire area and mop up hot spots.

&#8220They are still going to have crews on the fire,” he said, adding that, &#8220the central Oregon team is going to close out [Sunday] afternoon.”

No injuries were reported from the Su River Fire, and while 40 structures were threatened, none were lost, Cordes said.

&#8220The fire did burn right up to them,” he said. &#8220Some structures were on stilts and the fire burned under them.”

Contact Greg Johnson at 352-2268 or greg.johnson@frontiersman.com.