Crews build containment on Foley Ridge Fire amid signs of progress; Highway 242 still closed
Barney Lerten
(Update: ODOT clarifies that Highway 242 closure is still in effect)
McKENZIE BRIDGE, Ore. (KTVZ) — More than 300 firefighters have brought the lightning-sparked Foley Ridge Fire east of McKenzie Bridge to 58% containment, allowing officials to lift Level 1 evacuation notices in the area, but Highway 242 is closed for ODOT crews to look for any remaining hazards.
“OR 242 is no longer closed due to the Foley Ridge Fire. USFS has lifted that closure,” ODOT Public Information Officer Julie Denney confirmed to KTVZ News on Tuesday.
“However, before we can reopen the highway to traffic, our crews need to go out and assess for any additional hazards,” she said. “Once that safety check is complete, the road will either reopen later this week or remain closed a little longer, if more cleanup is needed.”
Meanwhile, the separate, seasonal winter closure of Highway 242 over McKenzie Pass “is still ahead of us,” Denney said, “but it hasn’t taken effect yet. Please keep an eye on TripCheck for the most up-to-date status.”
Here’s Foley Ridge Fire officials’ Tuesday morning update:
Start Date: 09/06/2025
Percent Containment: 58%
Size: 497 Acres
Cause: Lightning
Personnel: 322
The Foley Ridge Fire is 58% contained. Updates for the Foley Ridge Fire are published every other day, with additional updates shared if any new or significant activity occurs on the fire. Current information may also be found on the incident website (InciWeb) and Facebook pages.
Current Situation: Yesterday, firefighters patrolled, mopped up, cleaned up and secured the fire lines. They had a productive shift working on the shaded fuel break along Foley Ridge Road. Today, crews will be repairing and rehabilitating areas damaged from firefighting operations and continuing to work along Foley Ridge Road reducing the fuel load.
Weather: Today will be partly cloudy in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy and rainy in the afternoon, Temperatures are forecast to be around 61 degrees, with light south winds shifting to the southwest with gusts up to 25 mph on ridgetops in the afternoon.
Road Closure Update: Highway 242 (McKenzie Highway) is no longer closed due to fire activity. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is maintaining the seasonal closure between MP 61.91 and MP 76.80. For the current status of Highway 242, please visit tripcheck.com.
Forest Closure Update: The Willamette National Forest has reduced an emergency closure order for the Foley Ridge Fire, which was reported Sept. 6 on the McKenzie River Ranger District. The closure order, which is for public and firefighter safety, has been modified to provide increased access, thanks to successful efforts by firefighters to mitigate hazards and complete contingency fire lines. The closure order is in effect Sept. 29, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, unless modified or rescinded sooner.
Closed Trailheads – Rainbow Falls Trailhead and Separation Lake Trailhead
Inaccessible Trailheads – Foley Ridge Trailhead
For the complete list of recreation sites and roads included in the Foley Ridge Fire closure order, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/foley-ridge-fire-closure-order
To report a wildfire, please call 911.
Evacuation Update: The Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice for homes on Highway 242 has been 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐝. There are no current active evacuation notices in Lane County