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 15 miles east of Oakridge.

By September 8, the fire had reached over 73000 acres. 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.

August
Late in the day on August 1, the fire was ignited by a lightning strike. It was first detected about 3.5 mi 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 100 acre on early in the day on August 3, and a later estimate that day stated it was 500 acre.

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 1200 acre, and smoke was predicted to affect the cities of Bend and Sisters, Oregon. An infrared reading on August 5 sized the fire at around 1054 acre.

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 (MIST) 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, 250 miles 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.