Highway 138E re-opens as Williams Creek fire dwindles

IDLEYLD PARK, Ore. -- The Williams Creek fire 10 miles east of Idleyld Park, is now 65 percent contained at 7,717 acres.

Today, warmer and drier weather conditions will contribute to increased fire activity along the active fire front and within the burnout areas between the fire front and the fire containment lines in the northwest corner of the fire area.

Firefighters are torching unburned fuels between firelines and the active fire to starve the blaze. Full containment is expected by the end of Sunday’s day shift. Mop-up and repair activities in burned areas will be continuing.

Repairs include slope stabilization (to avoid erosion), the removal of excess equipment and debris removal.

Highway 138E has re-opened with a reduced speed limit between MP 29 and MP 39. Firefighters and equipment are actively working along the highway and the potential for fire-related hazards remain. Police will ticketing speeders and vehicles that have stopped along the 10-mile stretch of highway.

Closures: The Umpqua River is closed for three miles between Bogus Creek Boat Launch and the confluence of Thunder Creek. The North Umpqua Trail (#1414) is closed beginning at the junction with Cougar Trail (#1507) to the intersection of Thunder Creek and the Umpqua River.  Bogus Creek Boat Launch and Fall Creek Picnic Area are also closed. Williams Creek and Bogus Creek Campgrounds, FS Trails #1513 & Williams Creek Trail (#1514), Williams Creek Camp roads (4710-480), Canton Rd and Rock Creek Rd (8 miles north of Hwy 138 beginning at the junction with East Fork Rd), Scaredman Creek campground and an area closure on BLM land west & north of the fire area.