A helicopter carrying a water bucket hovers over the Priceboro Fire, outside of Harrisburg, Ore., on Saturday.
Oregon Department of Forestry
More than 160 firefighters worked to suppress the Priceboro Fire on Saturday, which was stoked by strong winds and dry conditions in some areas. But Chris Cline, District Forester for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said crews were also able to capitalize on the overcast weather and made “big gains by fully lining the perimeter and achieving 20% containment.”
The fire was reported at 4 p.m. on Friday. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause. Meanwhile, firefighters managed to establish a line around the full perimeter of the fire through crews and bulldozers. The ODF says crews also ran hose along the control line and accomplished 20% containment along the fire’s northwest side.
Suppression efforts are being managed by a Type-3 incident team and the ODF’s South Cascade District. Besides the 160-plus firefighters from ODF, Oregon State Fire Marshal, local fire districts, forest landowners and private contractors are engaged in suppression efforts. Six engines, three helicopters, two tenders, and three dozers were also utilized Saturday.
One crew and two engines were expected to be monitoring and patrolling the fire. On Sunday, roughly the same number of firefighters used in Saturday’s operations will be committed to the blaze. People around the Priceboro Fire — located 8 miles northeast of Eugene outside of Harrisburg — should expect to see aircraft and smoke above the fire.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office downgraded some evacuation levels Saturday afternoon. See the sheriff’s office website for details: www.linnsheriff.org/2023/08/2803/
