Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 10 (NW Team 10), under the leadership of Incident Commander Steve North, joined a Unified Command of the Cram Fire with the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Green Team at 6 a.m. today. NW Team 10 spent the day shadowing their counterparts from the High Desert Type 3 Incident Management Team yesterday to ensure a seamless transition and continued coordination with the OSFM Green Team. This effort is part of a strong interagency partnership among local, state, and federal responders working together to protect lives, property, and natural resources.
The northern part of the fire, along Oregon Route 293, exhibited decreased fire activity yesterday, allowing firefighters to continue securing the line, mopping up hot spots and patrolling in that area. In anticipation of today’s Red Flag Warning, crews focused on structure protection, and aviation operations continued in areas of increased heat. On the southern portion of the fire, heavy equipment was utilized to complete and connect together unfinished fire lines. During the night shift, two additional strike teams of engines patrolled and mopped up to ensure those lines held through the night while personnel further bolstered structure protection. Strategic firing operations were successfully implemented to remove unburned fuel east of Hay Creek between NE Old US Highway 97 and the fire’s edge.
Today, firefighters will focus on mopping up around structures in areas of minimal or no current fire activity. North of East Ashwood Road, ground personnel working closely with aerial support, are constructing line directly on the fire’s edge where conditions allow. Fire managers continue to evaluate terrain, fire behavior and hazards to determine the safest and most effective tactics. Crews will monitor expected dynamic fire behavior throughout the day and focus on strengthening containment lines and tying together unconnected sections.
Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect today from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dry and windy conditions. Winds will shift to the northwest, increasing to 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph possible. Winds are expected to decrease overnight but may increase again on Friday before the passage of a cold front this weekend, which will bring cooler temperatures and higher humidity.
Evacuations: Evacuations remain in effect. Jefferson and Wasco County Sheriffs have issued Level 3 (GO NOW), Level 2 (BE SET), and Level 1 (BE READY) evacuations across multiple zones. Please refer to official evacuation maps for the most up-to-date info: Jefferson County: tinyurl.com/JCSOEvacMap, Wasco County: tinyurl.com/WascoCountyEvacMap
Smoke Outlook: An interactive smoke map for your area is available at https://fire.airnow.gov.
Safety: Please drive carefully in fire-impacted areas. Crews and heavy equipment are working along roadways, and visibility may be reduced due to smoke.
Cram Fire: Size: 77,163 acres | Cause: Under Investigation | Total Personnel: 573
