When September Skies Roar: Unexpected Lightning Ignites Fires in Linn County

Just when we thought the crisp air of early September might signal a slow winding down of wildfire season, the skies over Linn County had other plans. It was Monday evening, if you can believe it, when a rather unusual event unfolded: a dry lightning storm, the kind that often makes seasoned firefighters hold their breath, rolled through, leaving a trail of worry and, alas, a couple of fresh blazes in its wake. It’s a stark reminder, truly, that nature, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, keeps its own unpredictable calendar.

You see, most folks were likely settling into their routines, perhaps even enjoying the cooler temperatures we’ve had, when the National Weather Service sent out its advisory – a heads-up about the potential for dry lightning. And sure enough, the rumbles started. What followed, as we now know, were two separate fire ignitions. One, dubbed the Boulder Creek Fire, popped up near the intersection of Gordon Road and Highway 20. Thankfully, and this is truly a testament to rapid response, the Sweet Home Fire Department and its partners jumped on it. They contained it pretty quickly, keeping it small, a mere half-acre. A sigh of relief, honestly, for a community that's seen its share of wildfire devastation.

But then, there was the second one. This one, the Crabtree Lake Fire, sparked near its namesake lake in what’s described as incredibly remote and rugged terrain. And, well, that's where the real challenge lies. As of the latest reports, this fire has begun to grow, moving through dense timber and underbrush, making it a particularly stubborn foe for crews trying to gain control. It’s the kind of location that demands everything from ground teams, who face treacherous hikes, to helicopters and air attack resources, all working in concert to douse the flames from above.

Linn County, bless its heart, has actually had a somewhat milder fire risk rating lately — mostly low to moderate, you could say. But this recent lightning, unexpected in its timing and intensity, shifts that calculus entirely. It brings back, perhaps uncomfortably, memories of not-so-distant fire seasons, particularly that devastating 2020 stretch when places like the Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires scorched vast swathes of the landscape. Nobody wants a repeat of that, and the community remains incredibly vigilant.

Crews are, of course, doing everything they can. They’re battling the Crabtree Lake blaze with a relentless spirit, knowing full well the potential for it to escalate in these continued warm and dry conditions. The weather forecast, regrettably, isn't offering much in the way of immediate relief, hinting at more warm, dry days, and, dare we say, a lingering chance of more dry lightning. So, while we might have hoped to close the book on fire season, it seems Mother Nature just reminded us that sometimes, the story isn't quite over yet.