On and on it goes. The latest stats:
The fire has now moved into the Umatilla National Forest where there are few roads. Fighters will have to be dropped in and hike out.
"Heavy fuels, steep terrain, extreme fire behavior, limited access are impeeding control efforts."
Growth potential and terrain are both categorized as "extreme".
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One a more personal note:
Here is a pic out my front door today. The air is filled with smoke. Now, we are ten miles from Dayton and the fire is going to opposite direction away, so we're quite some distance away.
And an update from Tanya on Thursday:
Hi all,
Gene was unsuccessful in getting cows out today. Only about 12 pair started to follow then they spooked off the road. Gene will try again tomorrow. At least the road out has hay on it all the way to the gate. Maybe a few will decide to move down the mountain on their own. A few areas are still unburned so they aren't in danger of starving--but they sure are hungry!
The fire is now into the Umatilla National Forest which everyone was hoping wouldn't happen. There are no roads in the wilderness areas and limited roads in other areas.
While Gene still has to check in with the local fire center before going up in the mountains, the rest of the red tape has been cleared for him. Hallelujah!
Diane, our evacuee, is still here with her horses, cat and flock of 8 chickens. She brought her chickens out in a large dog crate and now they have taken up quarters in a chicken pen that my Uncle Bud. She the cutest picture of her rooster (flanked by his hens) looking out of the crate and her cat sitting on top! The caption is "Eckler Mountain Evacuees." While her home and outbuildings are safe, all the fences are burned up and much of their timber is burned. They were just beginning to selectively harvest some of that timber before the fire started. Last year, the School Fire burned to within 1/2 mile (one ridgetop) of their home. She and the horses were evacuated for 14 days. She says that this fire is "Second verse-- worse than the first!"
Fortunately, we can't see the fire or any burned areas from our house so being here gives her a bit of an oasis from the reality of the fire. People living in the foothills can see only black and smoke which must be psychologically draining!
Thank you for all your prayers! And like Dad says, "It ain't over until the fat lady sings!"
Eckler Mountain Evacuees
We read in our local paper that the firefighters were appreciating home baked goodies and getting tired of packaged food. The kids and I are going to make a bunch of cookies and take over. I know we can't make a dent in feeding 1500+ firefighters, but maybe the thought will be appreciated.
Prayers are still appreciated. | 
• Sep. 3, 2006 - Wow