Central Oregon EVENING Fire Update, 8/10

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

4550 SW Airport Way

Prineville, OR  97754

Contact:  Media Desk:  541-416-6811            

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FIRE NEWS--Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

For Immediate Release:  August 10, 2014 7:30 p.m.

Central Oregon EVENING Fire Update

Central Oregon – The region has received approximately 1200 lightning strikes this afternoon and weather continues to move into the area.  The National Weather Service reports that isolated thunderstorms may continue overnight and then increase in coverage each day through Tuesday.  Several new smoke reports have come in along the crest of the Cascades approximately four miles east of Waldo Lake, and smokejumpers will respond to these reports as soon as weather permits.   

The Muskrat Fire continues to be managed with a Type III Incident Management Team with two helicopters,  4 smokejumpers, two Type II hand crews, 10 rappellers and helitack.  Although the fire hasn’t grown, rugged terrain and heavy fuels continue to challenge mop-up efforts and crews have continued to use aerial resources to assist with suppression.  The Six Lakes Trailhead remains closed to accommodate the Muskrat Fire Incident Command Post (ICP).  The fire is now estimated at 25% contained and approximately 50 acres. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s office is maintaining a Level III evacuation order for all areas on the west and north shores of Cultus Lake, which also include the back country area north of Cultus Lake including Corral Swamp, Winopee Lake, Muskrat Lake and Teddy Lake.  There is a Level I Evacuation (be ready) for the Cultus Lake Resort, Cultus Lake campground, and Cultus Day Use Area. 

The Deschutes National Forest continues an area closure for lands generally described as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 as the western most boundary (The Pacific Crest Trail remains open); Winnopee Lake to the junction of the Corral Swamp Trail #8 and FSR 4628 to the North, Cultus Lake to FSR 600 to the South and Corral Swamp Trailhead to Winnopee Lake Trailhead to the east.  

The South Fork Complex is located 5 miles south of Dayville around the south fork of the John Day River.  The fire is burning in a mix of U.S. Fish & Wildlife lands, private and BLM and Forest Service-managed lands. There are numerous evacuations and closures in place due to fire activity for both fires. The fire information number for this incident is 866-347-0636 or find the most recent closures and announcements at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4042/. 

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