Castle Fire Reaches 2,429 Acres, Containment Increases to 15%

TILLER, Ore. - Firefighters increased containment on the Castle Fire to 15% Saturday as crews continued working along control lines and helicopters targeted active fire on the western side.

The lightning-caused fire had burned 2,429 acres as of Sunday, Aug. 2. It began July 22 approximately 23 miles northeast of Tiller and is being managed under a full-suppression strategy.

A total of 703 personnel are assigned to the fire, including California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 and an incident management team from Australia and New Zealand.

Fire activity remained most significant along the western side, where helicopters continued making bucket drops to reduce fire intensity as the flames approached primary control lines. The Douglas Forest Protective Association is providing two Black Hawk helicopters to assist with aerial operations.

Crews continued patrolling and mopping up along Forest Service roads 28 and 2823. Firefighters were also preparing contingency lines northeast of the fire.

Backing and flanking fire behavior was observed on the northwest side. Nighttime firing operations were holding Sunday and continued to be monitored by crews.

Cooler weather and higher humidity helped firefighting efforts Saturday. Cool conditions were expected to continue Sunday before a drying trend developed overnight. Hotter and drier weather was forecast to return Monday and continue into the week.

Umpqua National Forest Expands Closure

The Umpqua National Forest expanded its emergency closure to protect the public and provide firefighters with a safe working environment.

Closure Order No. 06-15-02-26-02 replaces the previous closure order and prohibits public access to National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the designated closure area. The closure will remain in effect until conditions allow the area to safely reopen.

Roads affected by the closure include Forest Service roads 28, 27 and 2781.

Popular recreation areas within the closure include:

• South Umpqua Falls Day Use Area
• South Umpqua Falls Campground
• Buckhead Campground
• Camp Comfort Campground
• Castle Creek Trailhead
• Beaver Swamp Trailhead
• Lakes Trailhead
• Fish Lake Trailhead
• Skimmerhorn Trailhead
• Fish Lake
• Whitehorse Meadows Trailhead
• Acker Divide Trailhead
• Happy Camp Trailhead

A closure map and full boundary description are available through the Umpqua National Forest.

No highway closures were reported.

Fire Restrictions Remain in Effect

The Umpqua National Forest remains under high fire danger and Stage 2 public-use restrictions throughout the forest.

Campfires are prohibited in wilderness areas, and public firewood cutting using an internal-combustion engine is restricted. Campfires remain permitted in Forest Service-constructed concrete or metal fire rings at designated developed recreation sites.

Agencies assisting with the fire include the Douglas Forest Protective Association, Douglas County Public Works, Tiller Rural Fire Protection District, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and private timber representatives.