Crews Continue to Prep Sheep Springs Fire For Burnout Operations

Firefighter safety remains top priority as crews create control lines around lightning fire burning in snags

Sisters –The Sheep Springs Fire has grown to 10 acres since it was discovered early Monday morning. The fire, a result of two lightning-struck trees, is burning approximately 20 miles north of Sisters in the Brush Creek drainage less than a mile northeast of Sheep Springs Campground and roughly a half mile west of Forest Road 12.

The Sheep Springs Fire, burning in an area previously burned by the B & B Fire in 2003, is located in an area predominantly covered in snags, which are often structurally weakened and pose a serious hazard for fire personnel. Due to the extremely hazardous nature of the incident’s location, Deschutes National Forest leadership and fire officials are implementing tactics that, most importantly, provide for firefighter and public safety.

Fire officials are managing the Sheep Springs Fire for full suppression using existing roads to create containment lines. By using existing roads for containment, fire officials can reduce firefighters’ exposure to overhead hazards. They plan to burn out the containment area Thursday.  

There are currently no closures in effect for the Sheep Springs Fire. There will be increased fire traffic in the Metolius Basin area and around the town of Sisters. Bridge 99 along the Metolius River will be used as a dip site for helicopters should water drops become necessary. Access to roads around the fire perimeter may be limited on Thursday during burnout operations.

A local Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire on Tuesday morning. Current resources include 1 hotshot crew, 2 dozers, 2 Type-2 initial attack crews, 2 Type-2 handcrews, 2 water tenders, falling bosses and miscellaneous overhead.

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