Buckhead Complex fire grows in acreage near Oakridge

OAKRIDGE, Ore. -- Flyover surveillance taken near Oakridge Friday gave fire officials a better glimpse of the Buckhead Complex fire's size, made up of 15 fires in the Willamette National Forest, officials said.

Officials attribute the over 15 fires to the lightning storm that followed the heat of Sunday, Aug. 6th.

The aerial reconnaissance taken Friday allowed officials to get a better bearing on the primary Buckhead and Evangeline fires, as well as the numerous 'sleeper' fires in the area. The U.S. Forest Service currently lists the fire as burning 136 acres north of Oakridge.

Evangeline is the larger fire that has burned over 90 acres. Buckhead, the smaller fire, is listed at 45 acres.

Most of the smaller fires are being contained at under an acre, but Friday's surveillance revealed a new fire burning on Mule Mountain near Blair Lake. Crews are working to clear the fire before it grows.

The Buckhead Complex fire has temporarily closed the Oakridge Airport, as well as Forest Roads 5828 and 1910. The Alpine Trail is also closed from the Buckhead Shelter to where it meets the Westfir Tie Trail.

There are currently 216 firefighters and crew members fighting the blaze that is burning through the difficult timber terrain.