Wildfires burning in the Eagle Cap Wilderness

The Big Sheep Fire burns in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Wednesday.

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Story Published: Sep 2, 2009 at 9:39 PM PDT

Story Updated: Sep 2, 2009 at 10:23 PM PDT

By KLEW Web Staff

BAKER CITY, OR. - Two fires ignited by lightning last Saturday in a remote area of the Eagle Cap Wilderness were burning actively Wednesday afternoon.

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest officials said the Big Sheep Ridge and Trout Creek Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires are being managed for resource benefits and monitored by aircraft and Point Prominence Lookout.

The fires are located about one-mile apart, in the Big Sheep Ridge area, approximately eight miles SW of Lostine.

The Big Sheep Fire, approximately 15 acres in size, is burning actively in heavy timber and advancing to the top of a ridge toward a previously burned area. Heavy smoke from this fire is visible from the Grande Ronde Valley, Elgin, and other communities bordering the National Forest to the north and east.

The Trout Creek Fire is one-tenth acre in size, burning close to the ground at mid-slope surrounded by heavy timber.

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