Cougar Butte Fire Reaches 90% Containment
Tumalo Falls area closure and Level 1 Evacuation lifted

 BEND – As of Monday morning, firefighters have the Cougar Butte Fire 90% contained. Fire officials hope to have the fire 100% contained by the end of today. The fire, which remains at 170 acres, is secured on all sides by hand line and roads, which function as containment lines. During today’s operational period, firefighters will continue to mop up and ensure containment lines are secure. At noon, the Type 3 Incident Management Team will transition command of the fire to local Type 4 resources.

Fire activity remained relatively low on Sunday, May 28. Crews
successfully back burned a small portion of the NW corner of the
fire Sunday afternoon to increase containment.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department has lifted the Level 1 evacuation notice for Skyliners subdivision. Closures for Tumalo Falls Day Use Area and Forest Road 4603, as well as, all other road closures have been lifted. If traveling in the area, please use caution as firefighters and firefighting resources continue to work on the fire.

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 26, firefighters responded to the Cougar Butte Fire, approximately 11 miles west of Bend and north of Skyliners Road. Initially reported at 10 acres, the fire spread to 125 acres by that night. Firefighting resources worked through the night to construct hand line up the eastern edge of the fire. With the arrival of additional resources to the fire on Saturday, as well as, favorable weather conditions, firefighters were able to make good progress.

Unless any major changes occur, this will be the last press release for the Cougar Butte Fire.

If you have any questions about the fire, please contact the Deschutes National Forest; (541)383-5300, 63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, Oregon 97701.

For up-to-the-minute wildfire information, follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire or follow our blog http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com.   

-End-

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.

               

Cougar Butte Wildfire Now At 40% Containment
Firefighters hold wildfire north of Skyliners Road to 170 acres

 BEND – As of 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, firefighters have held the Cougar Butte Fire at approximately 170 acres with 40% containment. Fire crews have completed hand line along the eastern and western borders of the fire, while continuing to hold the north and south portions of the fire with roads. During today’s operational period, firefighters will continue working on securing the northwest corner of the fire, while installing hose lays and beginning to transition into mop up.

Resources assigned to the fire at the beginning of shift this morning included 4 wildland fire engines, 2 dozer, 1 Interagency Hotshot Crew, 4 hand crews, 1 Type 2 helicopter and several overhead and support positions. 

The closure of Forest Road 4601 at the gate to Tumalo Falls remains in effect. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office continues to institute a Level 1 evacuation notice for the Skyliners subdivision. Fire officials hope to lift the closure and evacuation order tomorrow.

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 26, firefighters responded to the Cougar Butte Fire, approximately 11 miles west of Bend and north of Skyliners Road. Initially reported at 10 acres, the fire spread to 125 acres by that night. Firefighting resources worked through the night to construct hand line up the eastern edge of the fire. With the arrival of additional resources to the fire on Saturday, as well as, favorable weather conditions, firefighters were able to make good progress.

On Saturday, firefighters responded to Incident #217 approximately 1 mile north of Hwy 31 and south of Hole-In-The-Ground. Firefighters held the fire at 9.5 acres.

For up-to-the-minute wildfire information, follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire or follow our blog http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com.   

-End-

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.

Cougar Butte Fire Map - May 27, 2017

Cougar Butte Fire Map 5/27/2017

Rogue River-Siskiyou Interagency Hotshot Crew constructs fire line on the west flank

Firefighters Work to Contain Cougar Butte Wildfire

Fire estimated at 140 acres; Tumalo Falls Day Use remains closed for public and firefighter safety

 BEND – At approximately 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 26, firefighters responded to a fire approximately 11 miles west of Bend and north of Skyliners Road. The Cougar Butte Fire, formerly Incident #215, has been estimated at approximately 140 acres as of this morning, and remains at 10% containment. Fire crews continue to construct hand line along the eastern border of the fire, while holding the north and south portions of the fire with roads.

Several engines, crews and one helicopter responded to the fire yesterday. Resources assigned to the fire at the beginning of shift this morning included 3 wildland fire engines, 1 dozer, 1 Interagency Hotshot Crew, 4 hand crews, 1 Type 2 helicopter and several overhead positions. Additional ground and air resources have been ordered and have started to arrive on scene.

The closure of Forest Road 4601 at the gate to Tumalo Falls remains in effect. Tumalo Falls will be closed to the public for the duration of the incident. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office continues to institute a Level 1 evacuation notice for the Skyliners subdivision. 

At 7:00 a.m. a Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Travis Moyer and Incident Commander Trainee, Mike Aizpitarte, assumed command of the incident.

For up-to-the-minute wildfire information, follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire or follow our blog http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com.   

-End-

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.

Firefighters Quickly Respond to Wildfire North of Skyliners Road

Tumalo Falls and Forest Road 4601 Are Closed To Ensure Firefighter and Public Safety

BEND – At approximately 3:00 p.m., firefighters responded to a fire approximately 11 miles west of Bend and north of Skyliners Road. Initially reported at 10 acres, the Cougar Butte fire grew to the west and as of tonight it is estimated to be 125 acres.

Several engines, crews and one helicopter responded to the fire, partly burning in the scar of the Bridge Creek Fire, and it is 10% contained as of 8:00 p.m. Several crews will continue working through the night on the fire to build and secure fire lines.

A closure has been put in effect for Forest Road 4601 at the gate to Tumalo Falls. Tumalo Falls will be closed to the public for the duration of the incident. Additionally, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has instituted a Level 1 evacuation notice for the Skyliners subdivision.

At 7:00 a.m., Saturday, May 27, a Type 3 Incident Management Team will assume command of Incident 215, led by Incident Commander Travis Moyer and Incident Commander Trainee, Mike Aizpitarte. Several resources are assigned to the fire beginning tomorrow and will include 3 wildland fire engines, 1 dozer, 1 Interagency Hotshot Crew, 4 crews, 1 Type 2 helicopter and several overhead positions managing the blaze.

US Forest Service, Bend Fire and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office resources have responded.

For up-to-the-minute wildfire information, follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire.  

-End-

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.