Firefighters turn corner on Shoe Fly Fire near Mitchell

MITCHELL, Ore. – Crews on the Shoe Fly Fire continue to work into the interior of the fire from the perimeter, creating an area of cold black adjacent to the fireline. The fire has reached 65% containment with significant portions of the fire in patrol status and all areas with a minimum of 100 feet mopped up from the perimeter into the interior of the fire.

Today, crews will focus on areas with larger fuels that may still be holding heat and fire. With the return of warm weather, grass and lighter fuels are drying and more receptive to burning. These areas can put up small amounts of smoke, making it easier for firefighters to locate any remaining hotspots.

Repair work is being completed in conjunction with mop up activities, with the plan to return the incident to the local agencies in patrol status. The repair work includes water bars to reduce soil erosion and impacts to water quality.

Resources are shifting across the fire to areas where work remains. Some are being released from the fire to support other nearby fires or return home for rest.

Firefighters are beginning to see wildlife return to the fire area along with newly sprouting grass and vegetation.