MEDIA RELEASE: Central Oregon Fire Management Evening Update, August 23

COIDC Evening Update, August 23

Redmond, OR –Although there is a red flag warning for a large portion of the area this afternoon, the gusty winds and lightning has not developed yet here in central Oregon. After the passage of this cold front, gusty winds are forecast to continue through Thursday. Crews will be available to respond to any new fires that occur.

Air quality conditions are forecast to be “Hazardous” in Sisters and “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” for Bend tomorrow. This smoke is from fires burning across Oregon and from as far away as northern California. For information from air quality monitoring stations throughout Oregon, visit http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/ or http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/

Milli Fire – Line preparations for future burnouts continued throughout the day on the south side of OR 242. Firefighters continue to monitor the current and forecast weather, waiting for the right conditions to continue the next phase of the burnout. Today’s relative humidity was too high for desired results and a successful outcome, so fire managers have delayed firing operations until conditions improve. Future burnouts will be conducted on both federal and private lands.

Evacuations:
Level 2 - The subdivisions of Crossroads, Edgington/Remunda, Wildwing, Peterson Burn Road Area, and along both sides of Three Creeks Lake Road (Forest Road 16) about one mile south of Sisters from the junction of the Brooks Scanlon logging road.
Level 1- The subdivision of Tollgate, all areas between OR 242 and HWY 20 and west of Cold Springs Cutoff (FS1018), which includes Black Butte Ranch.

A public meeting is planned for Thursday 24, 6p.m. at Sisters High School, 1700 McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters, Oregon. Information regarding status of the fire, closures, and evacuations will be provided. For more information on the Milli Fire, call the information line at 541-719-8135 or visit inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5517

North Pole Fire – Located NE of Shaniko. Five engines are responding to the fire again today, and reports indicate the containment lines are holding.

The temporary closure of trails in the Mill Creek Wilderness, Ochoco National Forest, has been rescinded. The following trails are again open to visitors; the Twin Pillars Trail #832; Wildcat Trail #833; and Belknap Trail #833A.

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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