Weather cools Big Sheep Ridge flames

The Big Sheep Ridge Fire slowed considerably Tuesday as a cold front moved across Northeast Oregon.

Crews and aircraft focused on the north end of the fire, near Boundary Campground, creating a line to keep the fire from moving onto private land.

The Big Sheep Ridge Fire is a lightning-caused fire that started Aug. 29 in the Eagle Cap Wilderness 8 miles southwest of Lostine in Wallowa County.

Crews worked during the night Tuesday near Boundary Campground to prevent the fire from crossing Bear Creek.

There was light rain in the area and at the higher elevations snow was reported. Firefighters will continue working today to build line and secure the north and northeast end of the fire and then will be working to secure the east flank of the fire, forest officials said.

The southern portion of the fire, within the Eagle Cap Wilderness, is being managed for resource benefits and is in monitor status.

The fire size is estimated to be approximately 3,000 acres.

Resources on the fire today include three helicopters, eight hand crews of 20 each, one dozer and several ODF and Forest Service engines.

For public safety, a fire closure is in effect on roads and trails leading to the fire. The Forest Service will be reviewing the road and trail closures to see if some of the area can be opened prior to the opening of deer season on Saturday.

Forest roads affected by the closure include:

• Forest Road 8270 to State Highway 82.

• Forest Roads 8270-175 and 8270-165 to Wallowa County Road 505 at the Forest boundary.

• Forest Road 8250 from Forest Road 8250-040.

• Forest Road 8250-040 from Forest Road 8250.

Trails affected by the closure are:

• Trail 1677, Stanley Ridge Trail, from Bear Wallow Trailhead to Stanley Guard Station.

• Trail 1668, Cougar Ridge Trail, from the trailhead to Stanley Guard Station.

• Trail 1654, Dobbin Creek Trail, from the junction with trail 1653 to the junction with trail 1677.

• Trail 1655, from the junction with trail 1673 to the junction with trail 1677 and 1668 near Stanley Guard Station.

• Trail 1672, from the junction with trail 1655 to trail 1673 on the Minam River.

• Trail 1685, from the junction of trail 1672 to trail 1773 on the Minam River.

• Trail 1680, from Stanley Guard Station to the junction with trail 1671.

• Trail 1671, from trail 1680 to trail 1653.

• Trail 1653 is closed from Boundary Camp ground to the junction of trail 1654.

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has no fire restrictions in place.

Hunters and other forest users are advised to use caution with outdoor activities involving campfires, lanterns, charcoal briquettes, chainsaws and recreational vehicles.

Those choosing to have a campfire should be sure it is dead out before leaving.

For additional information, visit the Forest website at: www.fs.fed.us/r6/w-w.

Lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Northeast Oregon District, have a Regulated Use Closure in effect.

Specific information on ODF’s restrictions is available on the web at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/precautionlevel.shtml

To report a wildfire, call 9-1-1.