Fire along North Umpqua River still growing; rural homes in danger

By Associated Press

Summary

Umpqua National Forest spokeswoman Pam Sichting said Friday eight homes on Moore Hill near the community of Steamboat are threatened, but a bulldozer line has been put in around them and no one has been ordered to evacuate.

Story Published: Jul 31, 2009 at 12:06 PM PDT

Fire along North Umpqua River still growing; rural homes in danger

A firefighting helicopter dips a bucket in the water to reload for another pass at the Williams Creek Fire.

STEAMBOAT, Ore. (AP) — The Williams Creek fire along the popular fly-fishing section of the North Umpqua River continues to grow and is now at 2,168 acres.

Umpqua National Forest spokeswoman Pam Sichting said Friday eight homes on Moore Hill near the community of Steamboat are threatened, but a bulldozer line has been put in around them and no one has been ordered to evacuate.

The fire is burning in rugged terrain north of state Highway 138, which continues to be closed between Susan Creek Campground and the Steamboat Inn.

Sichting said fire crews have held the line along the highway, and the fire is 10 percent contained.

Helicopters have been able to drop water on hotspots in the afternoons when the inversion lifts.

(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press)
 

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