Crews continue to see gains on containment efforts for the Emigrant Fire, burning 20 miles southeast of Oakridge. The lightning caused fire is now 36% contained, according to fire officials. “Firefighters continue to increase containment with tactics like chipping ladder fuels into surface fuels, reducing the risk of the fire moving into the canopy.” Fire crews reportedly have completed most of the chipping operations on the western perimeter of the fire and are now beginning to transition to patrol and mop-up operations. On the northern perimeter of the Emigrant Fire, officials say, the blaze remains south of the Middle Fork Willamette River. Over to the eastern perimeters crews are starting to move into patrol and mop-up status. Weather conditions near the flames saw warm and dry conditions Tuesday, with winds shifting back to the northwest come nightfall. The Emigrant Fire is estimated to have burned 32,354 acres.
