Crews working through the night on multiple starts on Deschutes NF

Fire crews responded to multiple starts this afternoon across the Deschutes National Forest and will work through the night tonight to contain them. All fires are currently under investigation. 

The largest of today's fires, now called the Sheridan fire, was estimated at around 300 acres as of this evening. The fire was first reported around 4:30 pm by the Lava Butte Lookout, and it was burning near the intersection of Forest Road 40 and 45, about 2 miles west of Sunriver.

The fire spread at a moderate pace to the south and southeast through predominantly lodgepole pine forest. A Level 1 evacuation notice remains in place for the Fall River Estates and homes near the Fall River Fish Hatchery, south of the fire. Road blocks remain in place on forest roads surrounding the fire.

Crews will work through the night to conduct burnout operations along dozer lines in order to strengthen containment lines around the fire. A local Type 3 incident management team will take command of the Sheridan fire tomorrow morning at 6 am.

Firefighters also responded to 6 small fires in the Sisters area. Five of those fires are located between 4 and 9 miles south of Sisters and one is located about half a mile northeast of Black Butte. Each fire was 1/10th acre or less when reported.

Crews will work through the night to suppress each of those fires. One fire, located south of Sisters, was already contained as of this evening.

Fire danger throughout Central Oregon remains EXTREME due to very dry fuel conditions.