A map of the Game Hog Creek Fire on Tuesday, July 20. Map: Oregon Department of Forestry
Fire crews are pushing into the interior of the Game Hog Creek Fire as they work to establish a 300 foot perimeter free of burning material, the Oregon Department of Forestry said on Wednesday.As fire crews move into what the department called heavy mop-up, portable water tanks and pumps are in place at the fire to support crews in their efforts.
An example of a portable water tank in use by Forest Grove Fire & Rescue during a training exercise in Gales Creek on July 17, 2018. Photo: Chas Hundley
Trees that pose a high risk of falling have been felled. The area of the fire is holding at 182 acres, with the fire fully mapped. While the fire is considered 100% lined, the fire burning in the cliffs near Elk Creek remains a concern. Previous fire update here
"As the saying goes, police officers and firefighters have one thing in common, they both want to be firefighters," said Forest Grove Fire & Rescue after police put out a fence fire before fire crews could arrive.
A home was significantly damaged and nine cats died from smoke inhalation, while two more were rescued in Forest Grove Monday afternoon. A massive response from neighboring fire agencies was due to the fire inadvertently being upgraded to a 2nd alarm.
A proposed toll road linking Forest Grove and Tillamook faced opposition, but Gales Creek residents would take any road they could get, according to a 1925 newspaper article.
"County Jail Filled to Overflow With Arrests Made" including Ernest Narver, Frank Kearns, Thomas Young, and Roy Kearns, all arrested at Balm Grove on liquor possession charges in Prohibition-era Gales Creek.
People are shooting exploding targets and firing hot lead into dry vegetation in the Tillamook Forest with predictable results: Five wildfires since May. These fires are all preventable, said Acting Forest Grove District Forester Stephanie Beall.
