DAYVILLE, Ore. — Firefighters battling the Rail Ridge Fire are gradually extending containment lines, according to an update from fire managers on Oct. 21.

After sitting at 89% for nearly three weeks, containment has now reached 92%, officials said. The fire, which has been burning south of Dayville since Sept. 2, has now consumed 176,619 acres and is being fought by 437 personnel.

As fire behavior continues to moderate and seasonal weather patterns shift, Rail Ridge Fire resources are making good progress to complete suppression repair, fire managers said. As a result of this progress, fire information daily updates will transition to distribution every other day, unless fire behavior warrants otherwise. Additionally, as of Monday, the temporary flight restriction over the fire area has been lifted, though aircraft remain available in the area to respond to shifts in fire behavior as needed.

Fire closures remain in place for both firefighter and public safety, and public cooperation is appreciated as teams complete their work, officials said. For more information on closures, as well as Wheeler County and Grant County evacuation information, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

Location-specific information about land access, fire suppression activities and suppression repair efforts in the Rail Ridge Fire zone is available to private landowners and contractors with projects within the fire perimeter and closure areas. Call the fire information line at 541-208-7111 or email 2024.railridge.liaison@firenet.gov with questions.

A cold front brought cloudy skies and light rain Oct. 21 along with southwest winds. Showers will end in the morning with a chance for hit-or-miss showers in the afternoon. Clearing skies and a drier air mass Monday night will lead to chilly morning lows for Tuesday with temperatures near freezing.

Temperatures will likely be around the mid-50s both in valleys and on ridgetops. Primary fire behavior characteristics continue to follow recent patterns of smoldering ground fuels and limited surface fire creeping. Heavy fuels such as stump holes and log ends will continue to burn and consume due to long-term seasonal drying.

Firefighters continue to focus efforts on building an indirect containment line in the northwest corner of the fire, in addition to mop-up and repair work.

Resources are continuously working to locate and repair areas impacted by dozer operations over the course of the fire. These efforts include using excavators to pull side berms back to natural contours, constructing water bars on sloped terrain, and naturally arranging duff, branches, and logs over fire lines in forested stands.

Crews are hauling logs and materials from roads and shaded fuel break areas. Much of the operational work in the west, south and east has been completed as of Sunday evening.

The latest information about U.S. Forest service and Bureau of Land Management closures, evacuation notices and fire restrictions for the Rail Ridge Fire area can be found at https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

Acres: 176,619

Containment: 92%

Start Date: 09/02/24

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 437