Rattle Fire crews attack hotspot south of Highway 138
By Laura Rillos
The Rattle Fire, 30 miles northeast of Glide, has prompted a closure of HIghway 138 between milepost 47 and 59. Lighting started the blaze Aug. 18. Firefighters had the blaze under control Friday and crews left the area. Hours later, strong winds picked up and caused the blaze to double in size over the weekend. Firefighters say the steep terrain is one of the biggest obstacles fighting the Rattle Fire. Much of the wildlands is at a 45 percent grade.
Crews are relying on helicopters to dump water on much the flames. Most of the fire is burning north of Hwy 138, but strong winds pushed the flames across the road Sunday, setting 200 acres south of the highway ablaze. That's where crews focused much of their effort Monday.
Nearby Dry Creek is on standby evacuation notice. Residents have been without electricity for three days after powerline owners cut electricity off to protect firefighters. Most residents say they are not worried. "It doesn't really bother me," said Linda Gossel. "Until I see the flames come over the last hill." Mike Mueller is using sprinklers to wet down his lawn. He says he is content to wait out the blaze. "You can always rebuild, right," said Mueller. The Rattle Fire was 5 percent contained Monday afternoon. |
Upload directly from your mobile device. Learn howYouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Stay Connected |
Connect with KVALViewer PollMost Popular
|
NEAR DRY CREEK, Ore. -- More than 2,200 acres of the Umpqua National Forest is burning Monday.
"As you're climbing up these steep embankments, you reach out and your hands right there and your feet are dug in," said Joel Delgado, a firefighter with the Willamette National Forest Service. 
Seven helicopters, along with bulldozers and firefighter crews, were attacking the fire.
KVAL, 4575 Blanton Road,
