New Equipment and Crews Bolster Firefighting Efforts Near Highway 242

WHITE BRANCH - New machinery rolled into camp Friday as Nevada Team 4 continued to build momentum in containing the Foley Ridge Fire. The team assumed command of the incident earlier this week, and additional resources are now arriving on the scene.

Cloud cover and low visibility hampered aircraft operations in recent days, but Friday marked the first clear, sunny skies in nearly a week. Public Information Officer Alexa of the Siuslaw National Forest said the improved weather is allowing crews to make progress, though challenges remain.

"Aircraft can drop water, but penetrating the tree canopy so it actually hits the ground is a major hurdle," said Bret, a public information officer trainee with Nevada Team 4.

The fire has been primarily burning along the ground, with little to no torching into the forest canopy. Cooler, wetter weather has helped calm activity, and officials note that the fire is consuming decades of built-up fuels after a century of limited fire. From an ecological standpoint, they say, this type of low-intensity burn can help rejuvenate the forest.

Handlines have been dug around Camp White Branch, with contingency plans to add sprinklers should the fire advance. An official forest closure order for some areas is currently being drafted.

Along Highway 242, two hand crews are cutting back brush and small trees within 30 feet of the roadway to improve defensible space. Trees and debris have also been tumbling off steep cliffs to the valley floor, but increased moisture there has aided suppression efforts.

Photos taken by Michael Sherman of Spring Fed MediaFriday showed heavy smoke along the east flank of the fire, while Torres Contracting of Salem, on its third wildfire assignment of the summer, was busy cutting brush along Highway 242.

FOLEY RIDGE FIRE CLOSURE ORDER: The Willamette National Forest has issued an emergency closure order for the Foley Ridge Fire, which was reported Sept.6, 2025, on the McKenzie River Ranger District. The closure order, which is for public and firefighter safety, is in effect Sept. 12, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, unless modified or rescinded sooner.

Firefighters will be using heavy machinery to remove hazardous fuels and strengthen fire lines to better protect nearby communities and recreation infrastructure, enabling quicker and safer access for current and future firefighting efforts.

All areas, roads, and trailheads inside the boundary of this closure area are closed, including the Foley Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 2643).

⛔ Closed Trailheads

∎ Rainbow Falls Trailhead

∎ Separation Lake Trailhead

⛔ Inaccessible Trailheads

∎ Foley Ridge Trailhead

For the complete list of recreation sites and roads included in the Emigrant Fire closure order, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../fire-closures-current...