COIDC MORNING Update, August 13

Whychus fire is now estimated at 1,539 acres

COIDC MORNING Update, August 13

Redmond, OR – Firefighters worked through the night on several fires across Central Oregon.

Many areas throughout Central Oregon received rainfall this morning.  Two remote weather stations located on public lands reported from 0.2 – 0.5 inches of rain; all other weather stations did not receive enough measurable rainfall to record.  The cold front that brought rain showers will pass through the area by the end of the day, bringing cooler temperatures and gusty winds out of the west.

Firefighters worked through the night on the Whychus fire, about 8 miles northeast of Sisters, Ore. This fire had been lined by dozers at 34 acres but yesterday’s gusty winds pushed embers over fire lines and the fire is now 1,539 acres. Firefighters today will be assisted by air tankers, multiple engines and dozers to continue constructing fire line today. A Level 2 evacuation notice remains in place for residents of Lower Bridge Road north of Holmes Road. A Type 3 incident management team took command of the fire yesterday afternoon.

A Type 3 incident management team has assumed command of the Milli Fire, burning 8 miles west of Sisters, about one and a half miles west of Black Crater Lake. The fire is partially burning in green timber, and partially burning in the 2006 Black Crater Lake Fire scar. Firefighters will work together with heavy equipment to begin fireline construction today. The fire is now estimated at 80 acres and several temporary closures of adjacent trails, trailheads and roads remain in place today:

·         Forest Road 1018 is closed from Highway 242 to Forest Road 15.

·         Forest Road 1520 is closed from Forest Road 1018 to Forest Road 15. 

·         The Millican Crater Trailheads located at Lava Camp Lake and Forest Road 1024 are closed. 

·         The Scott Pass Trailhead located on Forest Road 1026 is closed.  Black Crater Trailhead located off Highway 242 is closed. 

·         Whispering Pine campground located at the junction of Forest Road 1018 and 1520 is closed.

The Yucca fire, between the Three Rivers subdivision and Lake Billy Chinook, is 100% lined and contained as of this morning. It is 25 acres.

The Pine Stub fire, northeast of Post, is 100% lined and 148 acres.  Rain was received over the area this morning and crews will continue mopping up today on this fire.

A new start has been reported in the Three Sisters Wilderness in the Deschutes National Forest.  Smoke jumpers are responding to this new report this morning.

Resources are again responding to several fires that were reported Saturday around the area including fires in the Three Sister Roadless Area, South Bachelor Roadless Area, and Bench Mark Butte. 

Additionally, the fire reported yesterday south of Little Cultus Creek will have engines on it again today as well as the fire west of Wickiup Reservoir. 

The Belknap fire in the Mill Creek Wilderness on the Ochoco National Forest is 30 acres and burning in steep terrain in an area with abundant hazardous trees. Aerial drops on the fire yesterday and rain this morning, may have moderated fire behavior enough to allow resources to get into the area.

A fire reported last night 10 miles NE of Shaniko is estimated at 3870 acres and is burning in light, grass fuels.  This fire will remain in monitor status. 

For more information, follow us at http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter at @CentralORFire

For Central Oregon Fire Information Fire hotline, please call 541-316-7711 or keep up-to-date on fire activity by following us on Twitter at @CentralORFire.

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