Fire on Oregon side of Hells Canyon close to containment

IMNAHA, Ore. - Firefighters have almost fully contained a blaze on the Oregon side of Hells Canyon that burned over 8,000 acres in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

Dug Bar Road at Fence Creek remained closed to the public as firefighters worked to fully contain the Cactus Mountain fire. The fire has burned 8,350 acres and is 90 percent contained.

An extra push is in place Wednesday to try to finish the fire, managers said.

Firefighters face temperatures over 100 degrees in the canyon Tuesday, but temperatures are expected to drop into the 90s and 80s as humidity increases.

Fire lines have held, and the federal overhead team managing the blaze expects to return management of the fire to the local team starting Thursday morning.

Crews are in the process of removing any extra equipment out in the field not deemed necessary for direct fire suppression. Habitat rehabilitation is also ongoing, with efforts to try to return the area to its natural condition prior to the firefighting efforts.