Milli Fire Activity Prompts Expansion of Area Closure

BEND - The northern edge of the area closure currently in place on the Sisters Ranger District has extended to the south of Glaze Meadow and Black Butte Ranch.

While the Milli Fire remains south of Highway 242, fire officials have coordinated with the Deschutes National Forest to extend the closure area. The closure offers operational opportunities for firefighters to build contingency fire line north of the highway. The additional area includes lands west of Forest Road 1008 up south of Glaze Meadow to Forest Road 2060 and its junction with Highway 20. The closure follows a variety of Forest Roads and ties in the Hortense Lake Trailhead that accesses the Mt. Washington Wilderness area. All other closure boundaries remain in place.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded evacuation notices for the Crossroads subdivision, Edgington Road, Remuda Road, Peterson Burn Road, Wild Wing and Three Creeks Road residences to Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation Notice, allowing residents to return to their homes. However, the area closure remains in place for the surrounding public lands due to continued active fire in the area. The closure includes Forest Road 16 and all of the following:

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, Cold Springs Campground, Trout Creek Swamp, Sisters Cow Camp, Chush Falls Trail #4080, Pole Creek Trail #4072 & Trailhead, Metolius Windigo Trail #99 from the Highway 242 crossing to the trail junction with the FSR 4601, Whychus Overlook Trail, Whychus Creek Trail, Demaris Lake Trail #4074.1, Camp Lake Trail #4074, Park Meadow Trail #4075 & Trailhead, Three Creek Lake Campgrounds & associated trails, Tam McArthur Rim TH, Peterson Ridge Trail System.

Graham Corral Horse Camp remains open but is under a Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation notice along with all areas between Oregon State Highway 242 and Highway 20 and west of Cold Springs Cutoff (Forest Road 1018), which includes Black Butte Ranch.

The Pacific Crest Trail closure remains in place beginning at Elk Lake and extending to Highway 242. Hikers are encouraged to get a ride north to Britenbush Lake, or take public transit north toward Government Camp near Mt. Hood. See www.pcta.org.

The public is encouraged to KNOW BEFORE YOU GO by contacting the Sisters Ranger District office at 541-549-7700 if you plan to visit the area.
For more information on the Milli Fire, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5517/ or call 541-719-8135.

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