Thielsen Fire Update for Thursday, Sept 24; Fire Now 30% Contained

The Mt Thielsen Fire is now at 9,971 acres and is 30% contained. The fire was discovered on Sept. 8 at 0830 PDT. Cause is unknown. Evacuation level is at Level 2 “SET” for the Diamond Lake area. Authorized residents and permit holders are allowed to enter the area. Road guards are at checkpoints around Diamond Lake to restrict access to unauthorized users. Visit the Douglas County Sheriff’s website for the most current information. Yesterday, crews continued to work around the fire area; however, some personnel had to disengage in areas where snags were present due to high winds. Resources continued to construct and secure firelines along the southern and northern edges of the fire. Firefighters have secured the Cinnamon Butte Tower and communications site using a sprinkler system and by removing vegetation to prevent fire spread. Today, personnel will work to hold and mop up along the western edge of the fire. Handcrews and engines will be critical to holding the fire along Hwy. 138 in the area adjacent to Diamond Lake to protect direct threats to structures. Resources will construct handline from Cinnamon Butte to Hwy. 138 and continue to identify containment opportunities along the northern edge of the fire. Crews will construct handline, cold trail and mop up along the fire edge and continue to identify contingency containment opportunities along the southeastern edge of the fire. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) are being implemented in the fire area. Road Closures: Hwy. 138 is open with pilot cars escorting traffic from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to mitigate risks to fire resources working along and adjacent to the roadway. For the latest road conditions, visit www.tripcheck.com. The route to Miller Lake via FS Road 9772 remains closed from the intersection with Hwy. 97 to the intersection with FS Road 110 due to firefighter traffic. Drivers are being directed to take FS Road 9774 to connect with FS Road 110 as an alternative route. Forest Closures: The Umpqua National Forest is currently at Industrial Fire Precaution Level III. No industrial operating waivers will be issued. The Fire Adjective Class is High. Temporary emergency closure orders remain in effect for all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Cottage Grove Ranger District: ORDER NO. 06-15-01-20-423, Tiller Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-02-20-422, Diamond Lake Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-03-20-420 and North Umpqua Ranger District ORDER NO. 06-15-06-20-421. Flight restrictions: A temporary flight restriction remains in place from the surface up to and including 10,000 feet to provide a safe environment for fire-fighting aviation operations. Wetting rain will bring much-needed moisture to the area this morning. By midday winds will increase again with gusts up to 20 mph. Incident website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/