The Cedar Creek Fire was burning with low to moderate intensity Wednesday, according to fire managers, and firefighters expected to continue fortifying the fire's western edge to better protect the Oakridge-Westfir area.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity, as well as the change in wind direction following the weekend's east wind event which drove the fire westward, have allowed firefighters in recent days to make progress against the fire. The Cedar Creek Fire was estimated to be burning in about 92,595 acres Wednesday morning, but remained 0% contained.

"Weather conditions have moderated the fire a bit, but by no means has this taken all of the heat and energy out of the fire," said Randy Johnson, incident commander of the Pacific Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 3.

Firefighters have identified ridgetops to the west of the fire and will be conducting firing operations to bring the fire toward containment lines, according to an incident management team update. The firing operations would reduce vegetation between the front of the fire and the fire line, moderating burn intensity and improving lines' effectiveness.

"Even though we did get some moisture, we're seeing that there are places we can burn and we're taking advantage of that to the extent possible," Johnson said. "We'll be continuing those efforts again today, and try to not lose any momentum while the fire has moderated."

There were more than 1,800 people working to control the Cedar Creek Fire Wednesday. Their resources included 93 fire engines, 28 separate firefighting crews, 87 pieces of heavy equipment and 11 helicopters, according to the update.

Low visibility limited the ability to use helicopters and airplanes for most of the day, according to the update.

Cedar Creek Fire update:Evacuation orders reduced in Oakridge area

On Wednesday, crews supported by heavy equipment were expected to continue thinning and chipping vegetation to improve roads for use as containment lines. Firefighters also expected to continue burning operations to slow the fire.

Weather conditions are expected to stay moderate with light west winds and cooler seasonal temperatures in the 60s. Fuel moisture levels are at a point where grass isn't easily carrying fire but larger sticks and limbs are actively burning.

Smoke from the fire is expected to linger through the week, impacting air quality. Air quality west of the fire, including in Eugene-Springfield and Oakridge, was "good" Wednesday morning. Air quality east of the fire was more unhealthy.

Evacuation levels around the greater Oakridge area were lowered Tuesday, meaning residents may return home.

Westfir and Oakridge between Laurel Butte and the Middle Fork Willamette River west of Fish Hatchery Road were at level 1 Wednesday morning. The High Prairie and Hills Creek Reservoir areas and Oakridge north of Laurel Butte Road and east of Fish Hatchery Road were at level 2. Some areas on the east of the fire remain at level 3.

Residents are being advised it is possible fire conditions may change, requiring evacuation levels to be raised again.

See an online map of evacuation areas at bit.ly/CedarCreekEvacMap.

Contact reporter Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@registerguard.com. Follow on Twitter @DuvernayOR