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FIREFIGHTING Crescent fire grows by more than 1,500 acres over weekend Some progress reported on other Southern Oregon fires By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 24, 2015 @ 11:23 am Updated Aug 24, 2015 at 2:35 PM By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 24, 2015 @ 11:23 am Updated Aug 24, 2015 at 2:35 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" -->   Crews reported some progress over the weekend in containing fires burning in Southern Oregon, although hot and breezy conditions helped spread the Crescent fire near Crater Lake National Park. East winds pushed the Crescent fire to the west into heavier fuels, with the fire growing to about 9,300 acres by Sunday and remaining only about 10 percent contained by firelines. The Crescent fire is the larger of two blazes burning in the National Creek Complex fire. The fires were started by lightning on Aug. 1. About 400 firefighters are on the scene. Highway 230 has reopened, although motorists are warned to expect delays, smoky conditions and to keep their lights on. If wind and fire conditions shift, it may be closed again.  Fire crews were working with Oregon Department of Transportation to remove vegetation along the Highway 230, which is serving as a fireline on the north side of the fire. Burnout operations continued along the north entrance road up to the Pumice Desert and the west flank. Helicopters were used to ignite a burnout along an existing containment line between highways 138 and 230. The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park from Highway 138 remains closed. Visitors can access the park from the south entrance off of highway 62. Collier Butte Fire Firefighters are still working to strengthen containment lines for the Collier Butte Fire, which as of this morning had burned about 9,600 acres in the Gold Beach Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskyou National Forest. Three crews have the fire at 40 percent containment, as the fire heads east. The fire, which is burning about 20 miles southeast of Gold Beach, was started by lightning on Aug. 2. About 240 personnel have been assigned to the fire. Burnout operations are helping to slow the spread of the fire. On Sunday, firefighters finished burning along the southern containment lines, which created a fuel break from the Big Craggies to the 1376 roadway. Firefighters are dousing burning vegetation along the completed containment lines and helicopters are being used to ignite unburned fuel spots within the burnout area and to drop water on hot spots to limit the fire growth. Firefighters also continue to patrol the west side of the fire, but the south flank remains a high priority, according to fire officials, to stop the spread into the Chetco River watershed. So far, no water has been extracted from the Chetco River, but if it becomes necessary, crews have a plan to minimize impact on the daily flow, which is extremely low due to drought conditions: Tenders will be filled before leaving Gold Beach and fish screens will be used in coho critical habitat. No helicopters will dip from the Chetco, and no more than 12,000 gallons per day would be removed. Main highways into and along the south coast and the Rogue River remain open. Residents and visitors to Gold Beach, Brookings and nearby communities are encouraged to drive carefully as firefighter traffic has increased in the area. Stouts Fire As of Sunday, the fire burning in Douglas County, about 35 miles northweat of Grants Pass, had reached 26,367 acres and was at 84 percent containment, but fire officials say the potential for rapid growth continues. A Level Two evacuation notice remains for the residents of Upper Cow Creek Road east of Devil's Flat to the end of the road.  A contingency plan to protect structures on Upper Cow Creek is in place and will be activated if needed. Evacuation levels for all other areas remain at Level One.  Fire crews completed the final stages of their burnout operation by igniting remaining pockets of fuel. A major current objective is to contain the fire and minimize impacts to the Elk Creek Restoration Project. On Sunday, about 700 personnel remained on the fire and the total cost of fighting the blaze to date was put at $34.4 million. The fire was caused by a mower that was being used during a prohibited time.     By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 24, 2015 @ 11:23 am Updated Aug 24, 2015 at 2:35 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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