MEDIA RELEASE: Central Oregon Fire Management Evening Update - August 17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 17, 2017
Contact: (541) 316-7711

COIDC Evening Update, August 17

Redmond, OR – Firefighters made progress on all fires burning in Central Oregon today despite some gusty winds across the region.

Milli Fire –Firefighters on the Milli Fire continued to be challenged by rugged terrain and overhead hazards while engaging the fire that is approximately 4,565 acres and 0% contained.

Level One and Level Two evacuation notifications are in place for the following areas:
Level One (Ready) – Pre-evacuation notice for all areas between Hwy 242 and Hwy 20 from the Cold Springs Campground to the city of Sisters, which include the Tollgate Subdivision. This does NOT include the city of Sisters or Black Butte Ranch.

Level Two (Set) – Be “set” to evacuate. All areas south of Hwy 242 (McKenzie Hwy) and west of Pole Creek Ditch (1-1.5 miles west of and parallel to FS Road 15/Three Creeks Rd.). This area includes the Crossroads Subdivision and homes off of Edgington Rd and Remuda Rd.

The highest priority for fire officials is to protect homes, private land, and resources to the north and east of the fire area. Firefighters were able to make progress in line construction today supported by Oregon Department of Forestry’s air tanker and helicopter. Crews completed several firing operations off of Forest Road 15 to tie in with existing line and begin securing indirect containment lines around the fire. The fire continued to push up to Millican Peak and Black Crater Creek in the Three Sisters Wilderness and is expected to continue moving south and west. Tomorrow, firefighters will continue to use indirect tactics like completing burnout operations off of existing roads or fire line constructed for the Black Crater Fire in 2006.

For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Deschutes National Forest has extended the area closure surrounding the fire to include all of the Three Sisters Wilderness area from Highway 242 down to the Park Meadow Trail to the Green Lakes Trail junction to the south, and along the eastern boundary of Forest Road 4606 to the east. Highway 242 has now been closed by Oregon Department of Transportation. The Three Sisters Wilderness closure area also includes all trails south of Highway 242 into the Three Sisters Wilderness on the Willamette National Forest.

The Cold Springs Campground remains open and is accessible from Highway 20 but is under a Level 1 evacuation notice at this time.

Deschutes National Forest, Sisters Ranger District closures include:
Green Lakes Trail #17 is closed from Pole Creek Trail #4072 to Scott Pass Trail #4068, Black Crater Trail #4058, Millican Crater Trail #4066, Scott Pass Trail #4068, North Matthieu Lake Trail #4062, Trout Creek Tie Trail #4067, Millican Crater Trailhead, Scott Pass Trailhead, Whispering Pines Campground, Trout Creek Swamp, Sisters Cow Camp, Chush Falls Trail #4080, Pole Creek Trail #4072, Metolius Windigo Trail #99 from the Highway 242 crossing to the trail junction with the Park Meadow Trail #4075, Whychus Overlook Trail, Whychus Creek Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail closure now begins at Elk Lake and extends beyond Lava Camp Lake at Highway 242. Hikers are encouraged to divert their path to Sisters, Oregon and then get back on the trail at Big Lake. For up-to-date information on closures on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and trail reroute options, visit https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/trail-conditions-and-closures/.

There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the fire area and can be found at http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_1668.html

Whychus Fire – Located about eight miles northeast of Sisters, the Whychus Fire is currently 2030 acres and 90% contained. Another day of no fire growth allowed for crews to continue mopping up.

Belknap Fire – Firefighters were able to complete fire line around the Belknap Fire and will now work to secure the 125 acre fire burning in the Mill Creek Wilderness on the Ochoco National Forest. Helicopters assisted firefighting efforts on the ground by cooling hot spots in the interior of the fire that is 50% contained.

A trail closure has been put in place by the Ochoco National Forest for trails within the Mill Creek Wilderness. The following trails are now closed to the public for one month, beginning August 14th, from today or until rescinded: Twin Pillars Trail #832; Wildcat Trail #833; and Belknap Trail #833A.

There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place over the fire area and can be found at http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_9749.html

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

For the Central Oregon Fire Information hotline, please call 541-316-7711.

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