SWEET HOME - Fire behavior moderated on the Canal Creek Fire on Saturday, allowing firefighters to make good progress on containment lines as well as finding and suppressing spot fires, according to Pam Ensley of the Northwest Oregon Area Interagency Incident Management Team.

The 400-acre fire, which made a short run along a ridge to the southeast. is about 10 percent contained.

Fire officials are concerned about the warming and drying weather expected through Wednesday.

"Heavy fuels plus low-lying moss-covered branches yield the perfect 'ladder' conditions for fire to climb into the crowns of the old growth Douglas-Fir trees," said Roddy Baumann, a fire behavior analyst. Winds can then easily spread the fire as burning material falls from the tree-tops.

The Canal Creek Fire is burning on the Sweet Home Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest, 8 miles southwest of Detroit.

Heavy recreation use along the roads leading to the fire area presents a safety concern as hundreds of firefighters travel to and from the fire daily.

To increase public and firefighter safety, spike camps are being established so that many of the crews will be able to camp closer to the fire, significantly reducing their travel exposure.

The Kinney Creek arm of Detroit Reservoir is being closed to public access because helicopters are dipping in the area. An area closure in the vicinity of the fire remains in effect, as do closures of several access roads. A 14-mile segment of the Quartzville Road (FS Rd 11) is closed to public use.

Democrat-Herald