Members of the Redmond Interagency Hotshot Crew cut handline around a spot fire on the north end of the Matlock Fire on Saturday, Aug. 1. This spot fire was stopped about 100 yards from private land.

UKIAH — Firefighters made significant progress Saturday, Aug. 1, containing the 85-acre Matlock Fire, which is burning in timber on the Umatilla National Forest.

The fire, which is 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, did not grow July 31 and is now 50% contained, as crews cleaned up the head of the fire to the north. Some smoldering hotspots remain, but are mainly well within the fire perimeter. Suppression efforts are directed by Incident Commander Gabe Hale and the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team.

Hotshot crews are completing handline around small spot fires on the north edge of the fire to cut off any potential for spread onto private land. Other crews and engines are mopping up along the lines, laying hose, spraying water and digging out hot stumps. Fire managers have begun demobilizing equipment and personnel, releasing them for assignment to other fires burning in the Northwest.

While the weather has cooled somewhat from last week’s heat wave, conditions remain extremely dry, which mean fuels ignite easily and burn rapidly. Fire managers are employing tactics which protect firefighter and public safety, while effectively minimizing fire spread and preventing damage to private lands and natural and cultural resources. Firefighters are also taking a number of precautions to prevent transmission of coronavirus. Information is being provided virtually, crew camping areas are dispersed, and resources are kept apart to the extent possible.

Firefighting resources assigned include three Interagency Hotshot Crews, two Type 2IA handcrews, eight Type 6 engines, seven water tenders, one dozer, one feller-buncher/skidder team and one processor. Aerial support includes one Type 3 helicopter.