Cedar Creek Fire


The Cedar Creek Fire was a large wildfire in the U.S. state of Oregon that began on August 1, 2022, with a series of lightning strikes in the Willamette National Forest approximately east of Oakridge.
By September 8, the fire had reached over. By September 10, it was over 74,000 acres; 30,000 foot high pyrocumulonimbus clouds from the fire were producing their own lightning; Oakridge was evacuated. Smoke from the fire moved into Southwest Washington then the Puget Sound region on September 10; on that day Seattle recorded the worst air quality of any major city in the world.
By September 11 it had grown to 86,000 acres. Over 2,000 homes were evacuated.

Events

August

Late in the day on August 1, the fire was ignited by a lightning strike. It was first detected about west of Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest. Firefighters were slow to contain the fire, due to the rough and unsafe terrain surrounding the wildfire. The fire was estimated to be at around 5 acres on August 2, and was later estimated to be at on early in the day on August 3, and a later estimate that day stated it was.
On August 3, the fire started moving more north and east and started burning in heavy timber and by August 4, it had grown to around, and smoke was predicted to affect the cities of Bend and Sisters, Oregon. An infrared reading on August 5 sized the fire at around.
On August 15, the fire grew to 4,422 acres with 0% containment. An area closure of all trailheads and dispersed camping North and West of Waldo Lake and Temporary Flight Restrictions were in effect.
On August 27, the fire grew to 7,632 acres with 0% containment. Area closures remained in effect North and West of Waldo Lake. Calm weather provided better opportunities for fire suppression. Firelines were continuing to be constructed using minimum impact suppressrion tactics to reduce negative impacts on the ecosystem.

September

On September 25, the fire grew to 114,104 acres with 20% containment. 44 engines, 28 crews, 68 heavy equipment, and 9 helicopters were staffed for fire suppression.

October

On October 27, the fire grew to 127,283 acres with 60% containment. Due to temperatures dropping and humidity rising, fire progression reduced drastically. 4 engines, 2 crews, 1 helicopter, and 2 masticators were staffed for fire suppression. Closures had reduced on the Deschutes National Forest and Willamette National Forest. Air quality ranged from good to moderate within the forecasted area. Lane County evacuations had been lifted.

Impacts

Smoke from the Cedar Creek Fire that blew into Seattle, to the north, caused the city to record the worst air quality of any major city in the world. Smoke also blew into the Eugene area.

Fire progression and containment

DateArea burned
in acres		Containment
Aug 25
Aug 3500
Aug 41,200
Aug 51,054
Aug 61,438
Aug 71,822
Aug 83,234
Aug 93,536
Aug 103,772
Aug 113,861
Aug 123,948
Aug 134,136
Aug 144,256
Aug 154,422
Aug 164,657
Aug 174,836
Aug 184,836
Aug 195,618
Aug 206,528
Aug 216,472
Aug 227,012
Aug 237,172
Aug 247,264
Aug 257,376
Aug 267,602
Aug 277,632
Aug 287,654
Aug 297,698
Aug 307,821
Aug 318,421
Sep 18,817
Sep 29,199
Sep 316,303
Sep 416,715
Sep 517,625
Sep 618,143
Sep 718,143
Sep 831,486
Sep 933,099
Sep 1051,814
Sep 1185,926
Sep 1286,734
Sep 1392,548
Sep 1492,595
Sep 1592,596
Sep 1693,427
Sep 17110,361
Sep 18112,287
Sep 19113,322
Sep 20113,637
Sep 21113,637
Sep 22113,637