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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Hanley Farm likely fed local soldiers ... Opting out: More Medford charter school students are declining to take state tests ... Crater Lake fire continues to burn near Rim Road ... Since You Asked: Hanley Farm likely fed local soldiers ... Opting out: More Medford charter school students are declining to take state tests ... Crater Lake fire continues to burn near Rim Road ... CRATER LAKE FIRE Crews attack Bybee Creek fire from Rim Drive Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Aug. 3, 2016 at 10:06 AM Updated Aug 3, 2016 at 4:46 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Aug. 3, 2016 at 10:06 AM Updated Aug 3, 2016 at 4:46 PM » Social News CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK — Fire crews expect to continue a direct assault on the Bybee Creek fire and they hope that back-burning today will help halt the 720-acre fire's spread near Crater Lake National Park's West Rim Drive. Firefighters attacking the 6-day-old fire were able Tuesday to grapple directly with flames for the first time from Rim Drive, and crews were able to complete a line encircling the fire, according to fire crews. Despite expected gusty winds, fire crews today hope to keep the fire east of the Pacific Crest Trail, south of the Lightning Springs Trail and west of Rim Drive. However, Rim Village, the park's headquarters and a bustling contingent of summer tourists remain on alert to be prepared for evacuation should the fire turn surly. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but park officials suspect it was human-caused because there were no lightning strikes in the area when the fire was discovered Thursday. The exact cause of the ignition, however, remains unknown. The fire was listed today at 720 acres, the same as Tuesday, and it was considered this morning as 12 percent contained, up from 10 percent Tuesday. Nine hand crews, seven water-dropping helicopters and two retardant-dropping airplanes were assigned today to attack the blaze. A stretch of West Rim Drive from Discovery Point to North Junction was cordoned off today for public safety and to keep motorists from clogging lanes needed for moving firefighting equipment. All other roads within the park are open, as are both entrances. Visitors can bypass the West Rim Drive closure by traveling on East Rim Drive. The fire, southwest of The Watchman overlook and north of Highway 62, began early Thursday afternoon, about 300 yards off the Pacific Crest Trail. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted Aug. 3, 2016 at 10:06 AM Updated Aug 3, 2016 at 4:46 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501