The fire at the S. Jefferson Exit 238 is 100% contained. Fire crews planned to have a 50' perimeter around the fire by this evening. The firefighters also spent the day extinguishing burning tree stumps and hot spots within the perimeter. Water had to be transported in water tenders for the fire crews.
Firefighters had to deal with bee hives and tree snags while working on the fire today. Trees that have been burned and weakened by the fire are called tree snags and can suddenly fall and could possibly cause injury to the firefighters. Several tree snags were cut down to prevent injury.
Roseburg Forest Products hired a the firefighter crew out of Eugene to assist on the fire. According to their Chief Forester, Mark Wall, the crew will cost the company approximately $8,000 per day. They own approximately 50 acres of timber and Christmas trees on Santiam Bluff. Luckily not all of it burned, but he estimated the loss to be approximately $20,000.
Fire watch will be in place tonight and fire crews will hopefully finish mopping up tomorrow.
The multiple fires that were started along I-5 yesterday afternoon are under investigation by the Oregon State Police.
No injuries have been reported.