Wildfire fight becomes smoke spotting sport

TRAPPER LAKE - Despite a high fire danger level, firefighting crews have contained the 8,498-acre Big Su River wildfire by 70 percent.

Incident reports show that the fire was 25 percent contained on Wednesday, and firefighters spent a busy day Thursday increasing that containment.

&#8220We are confidant that the fire will not be able to escape containment,” said Pam Sichting, a spokeswoman for the Oregon-based wildfire incident management team in charge of the effort. &#8220The weather is helping us locate those hot spots.”

Wednesday's overnight humidity measured 90 percent, according to incident reports.

Sichting said the wildfire, which was started by lightning June 20, should be fully contained today and noted it hasn't grown in more than three days. The fire's perimeter is 20 miles and 12 crews, along with five helicopters, are mopping-up 500 feet of the perimeter's cold, black edge.

Last night, Sichting said crews would be flying over the fire's perimeter with an infrared camera to locate any remaining hot spots. Firefighters are also smoke spotting.

&#8220Smokes mean there are areas of heat sources and there is smoldering,” Sichting said. &#8220Wind could ignite those areas.”

Crews are now battling smoke and not actual fire, she said.

Structures near the wildfire are being protected by sprinklers, according to incident reports.

Sichting said crews remain camped along the fire line. A temporary flight restriction remains in effect.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2284 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.