Fall weather helps crews at Deception Creek, Rep. DeFazio takes tour

KVAL
October 1, 2014

OAKRIDGE, Ore. -- The fall weather has helped firefighters get the upper hand on the Deception Creek fire, with the rain and increased humidity helping to subdue the flames within the fire lines.

Rep. Peter DeFazio is scheduled to take a tour of the charred forests east of Oakridge on Wednesday with the U.S. Forest Service.

The over 6,000 acre Deception Creek Complex is about 95 percent contained, the U.S. Forestry Service said.

"This was the biggest fire of my congressional district this year," said Rep. DeFazio, "The Pacific Northwest had a very severe fire season. We've spent almost a half-billion, that's $500 million, fighting fires."

Forestry officials said crews are still working to mop up all the hot spots along the Deception Creek perimeter while also starting to retrieve over 70 miles of hose which was used to fight the blaze.

As firefighters start to pack up the miscellaneous equipment around the fire, a Burned Area Emergency Response team is stepping in to assess the damage.  |  More wildfire news

The BAER team has been scanning the burned area from the ground and with satellite imagery for several days to find any immediate threats to life, property, and critical natural and cultural resources.

"There's a lot to be learned. (Like) what we can do to prevent the severity of fires through thinning and fuel reduction," the congressman said. "And what I need to work on legislatively to work on these problems."

Forestry officials said they hope to have the fire 100 percent contained in the next two weeks.