PRINEVILLE, Ore. -- Authorities said late Saturday they have turned the corner on the 373,000-acre Rowe Creek Complex Fire that is now 89% contained. But there have been some sweet connections made amid all the hard work and challenges.

The fire has brought more than 1,600 firefighters and fire personnel, along with more than 200 vehicles and pieces of apparatus, past the homes along the road to the incident command post, fire officials said Friday in a posting to the fire's Facebook page, which continues below:

One little girl, Autumn, loves fire trucks. As firefighters passed the family's home, she would wave and offer them Popsicles. Her kindness quickly caught the attention of the fire crews.

The incident management team wanted to repay that kindness and give Autumn something special to remember the firefighters she had welcomed along the road. A Smokey Bear plaque was obtained as a meaningful way to recognize her kindness and capture the special connection she had made with the crews during the incident.

The plaque was dropped off at the local Ace Hardware store, where the employees customized it with an engraved inscription. They went above and beyond to find a way to engrave the plaque, using equipment typically used for engraving dog tags.

The local fire department also joined in, and the Forest Service District Ranger and Agency Administrator presented Autumn with her special plaque, surrounded by her family.

And, in true Autumn fashion, she celebrated by giving the firefighters Popsicles once again.

A simple wave and a Popsicle became a wonderful reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference.