June 16, 2018 Willow Creek fire update

June 16, 2018– The Willow Creek Fire, located north of Highway 40 and Strawberry reservoir on the Heber-Kamas Ranger District has burned 1,301 acres, and is 41% completed.  The fire has been determined as lightning caused and was reported on June 6th.  There are no threats to structures, campgrounds, or powerlines.

 

The interior of the fire continues to burn and creep through dead timber. Today fire crews will continue to monitor the fire and use suppression efforts if necessary using confine and contain suppression techniques.  Crews are continuing to work along the outer edges of the fire dropping hazardous trees along the West Co-op Creek trail.  Heavy equipment will be in the area of Bjorkman Road conducting hazardous fuel reduction.  Smoke is still visible in the area increasing in the afternoon.  With Father’s Day weekend here, please use caution when driving in and around the area.  Public and firefighter safety are the main priorities.

Personnel and resources assigned include three engines, one 20-person hotshot crew, one 20-person initial attack crew and one helicopter.  Total personnel on the fire is 91.

 

A temporary area closure remains in place due to active fire still in the area.  Extra patrols will be in place over the weekend to enforce this area closure.  Please help keep our firefighters safe by respecting area and road closures.  The closure is north of Highway 40, west of Co-op Creek road (area closure includes Forest Service roads #451 and #393), south of Bjorkman Hollow road and east of Strawberry River road (area closure includes Forest Service roads #389 and #735).  This area will be closed for public and firefighter safety. The Bjorkman Hollow road is closed.   Co-Op road will remain open up to the seasonal closure gate.  Strawberry River road will also remain open.  A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been implemented.

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