The Bridge 99 Complex consists of two fires (Bridge 99 Fire and Bear Butte 2 Fire) started by lightning on Sunday July 13. The complex has tripled in size from yesterday and is now 3, 464 acres. The 1,837-acre Bridge 99 Fire increased by 1,250 acres from yesterday and is burning 18 miles northwest of the town of Sisters, east of the Metolius River and on the west-facing slopes of Green Ridge. The growth of this fire yesterday was towards the northeast. The Bear Butte 2 Fire is estimated to be 1,627 acres, an increase of 1,167 acres from yesterday and grew towards the east. It is located 4.5 miles southeast of Mt. Jefferson. Approximately 1,113 acres have burned on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs land, with the remaining fire area located on the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness area. The Bear Butte 2 Fire is 7 miles northwest of the Bridge 99 Fire. Anticipated growth during the next two days will be towards the east.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has issued the following evacuation orders:
All private lands along the Metolius River from Allen Springs Campground to Lake Billy Chinook (including the Metolius Arm) are in a Level III Evacuation Order. The Three Rivers Subdivision is in a Level II Evacuation Order. The subdivisions of Rim Park, Forest Park, and Air Park along with the Cove Palisades State Park are in a Level I Evacuation Order.
A Level I (READY): Evacuation is defined as: There is an incident in the area and residents are advised to leave if they need additional time to exit or have health conditions.
A Level II (SET): Evacuation Level is defined as: Residents are notified there is a full evacuation and are informed to leave. Evacuation are mandatory and entry to evacuated areas may be denied. Residents are encouraged to evacuate as soon as possible. Residents may have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.
A Level III (GO): Evacuation Level is defined as: Residents are notified there is imminent danger, and they should evacuate immediately. Do not delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. Leave immediately, as quickly as possible.
The following Forest Service Roads are closed: Forest Road 12, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1270/1298 to Bridge 99, Forest Road 14, from Bridge 99 to its intersection with Forest Road 1400700 (Allen Springs Campground), Forest Road 1140, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1150/1180 to the intersection with Forest Road 1152, and Forest Road 1154, from its intersection with Forest Road 1150 to the intersection with Forest Road 1140. The Lower Bridge, Pioneer Ford, and Allen Springs Campgrounds are closed. The Jefferson Lake Trail (#4001), Sugarpine Ridge Trail (#4002), Shirley Lake Trail (#4003.1), and the Cabot Lake Trail (#4003) are closed within the Mt Jefferson Wilderness. A 5-mile segment of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) is closed. The south closure is located north of the Shirley Lake Trail (#4003) junction and the north closure is located near Cathedral Rocks.
A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for low relative humidity (12%) and high winds until 11:00 p.m. Friday night. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid to upper 90s. The complex is burning in very steep and rugged country with heavy timber and brush at an elevation of 3,000 to 4,000’.
Approximately 75 people attended public meeting was held last night at the Camp Sherman Community Center.
This blog is cooperatively maintained and posted by those Central Oregon Agencies involved in emergency response, to serve the communities information needs.
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