Scoggins Creek Fire Crews to Begin Mop-Up Stage; 55 Percent Contained
As crews and other resources begin demobilizing, the team and local ODF fire staff are preparing a transition plan.
(FOREST GROVE, Ore. ) — At this morning's 5:30 a.m. briefing, day Operations Section Chief Joe Hessel told the firefighters, "Monday's objective is to extinguish 100 percent of all smokes within 100 feet of the fire perimeter".
This process is referred to as "mop-up" which is the hard gritty job of digging up hot spots, and using water to eliminate all heat from the 100 foot perimeter around the fire.
As crews and other resources begin demobilizing, the team and local ODF fire staff are preparing a transition plan. The team will transfer responsibilities to a smaller District organization to manage the fire after the team leaves this week.
The smaller organization's main focus will be to monitor the fire and maintain the 100 ft. fire perimeter.
Small smokes from the fire's interior may be visible until the fall rains soak in and all the fire is extinguished.
Two small fronts are predicted to provide up to 3/4" rain over the fire area by the end of the week.
Firefighters welcome this news after a long and arduous summer of firefighting.
To date, there have been no injuries to fire fighters.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office reduced all evacuation orders to Level 1.
Residents are able to return to their homes.
Fire at a Glance:
Size: Estimated 211 acres
Cause: under investigation
Containment: 55 percent
Expected Containment: 9-23-14
Crews and Equipment:
Crews: 25
Helicopters: 5
Engines: 8
Dozers: 5
Water Tenders: 11
Total personnel: 669
Estimated Costs to Date: $1.37 Million
Source: Oregon Department of Forestry
