By Alex Paul
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Monday, September 10, 2007 12:00 am
Fire in the Coast Range could be seen from the mid-valley
The Oregon Department of Forestry is seeking the public's help in identifying the start of a 400-acre fire that has burned since Saturday about 13 miles southwest of Dallas in Polk County. Fire investigators are seeking details about a black, medium-sized SUV that that was reportedly seen near the junction of Roads 1500 and 1430 in the Bald Mountain area.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-503-623-8146.
The blaze, on the crest of the Coast Range, could be seen from many parts of the mid-valley Saturday night.
Jeff Forman, the Oregon Department of Forestry's Dallas unit forester, said that aerial and land-based crews hope to completely contain the fire today after making significant progress on Sunday.
"We should have line around most of it today and then start mopping up," Forman said. "Mop-up could take up to two weeks. The wind has died down and that should help. We had 30 mile-per-hour winds with gusts of 40 miles per hour on Sunday."
The fire started about noon on Saturday, Forman said. It grew to about 240 acres on Sunday.
The fire is on mostly private land owned by Forest Capital Partners, based in Monmouth, and some BLM ground.
The terrain ranges from 15 percent 70 percent slope, Forman said, and varies from slash to young reproduction units and heavy timber.
Forest Capital Partners LLC owns and manages more than 2.5 million acres of investment-grade forests across North America.
"We've had three to four helicopters working since Saturday," Forman said. We'll have four today. We have about 20 people on the ground including Department of Forestry and contract crews. The fire had a chimney effect at first, but didn't do a whole lot last night."
The helicopter drops were supported by several engines, bulldozers and fire tender trucks.
Today's high temperature is expected to top 90 degrees, which could effect firefighters.
Falls City Postmaster Doug Marshall said smoke has not blown into the community thus far.
TIP LINE
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-503-623-8146.