Timothy Lake Reopens for Labor Day Weekend Thanks to Firefighters and Rain

Good news for anyone hoping to spend the Labor Day weekend by the water: Timothy Lake is back in business. After nearly a week of evacuation warnings tied to the Austin and Narrows wildfires, crews on the ground have finally secured the area enough to let the public return.

Getting there is a little tricky right now. Highway 224 east of Fish Creek remains closed, so most visitors are taking Highway 26 and then Skyline Road to reach the lake. Once you arrive, you’ll find the trails, campsites and boat ramps open, but the fire‑danger ban on open‑flame campfires is still being enforced.

The numbers behind the progress are encouraging. As of Friday morning, Sept. 4, the Austin Fire had scorched about 12,610 acres and was roughly 21 % contained. The smaller Narrows Fire, at 302 acres, was about 27 % contained. Crews say that yesterday’s moderate rain helped keep any flare‑ups to a minimum, with only some smoldering in the heavier fuel loads.

On the ground, firefighters have been busy tying new control lines to the 2020 Riverside Fire scar and to Forest Road 5710, effectively keeping the blaze south of the road. Both Riverford and Raab Campgrounds are being protected with sprinklers and additional structure‑shielding measures.

Weather forecasts call for a little more scattered rain today—maybe a tenth of an inch—and a chance of thunderstorms. While the added moisture should curb fire activity, the potential for erratic winds means officials are staying vigilant. For those keeping an eye on air quality, the latest readings are available at fire.airnow.gov.

Remember, evacuations are still in effect for certain zones, and the Mount Hood National Forest remains largely closed. Drone pilots should stay grounded, as private aerial devices can interfere with firefighting aircraft. Drivers are asked to slow down, stay alert, and follow any temporary directions from fire personnel to keep everyone safe.