Central Oregon EVENING Fire Update, 8/7

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

4550 SW Airport Way

Prineville, OR  97754

Contact:  Media Desk:  541-416-6811           NEW! NEW! NEW!!! Email:   Centralorfireinfo@gmail.com

Twitter:  @CentralORfire                              For more information visit: CentralORfireinfo.blogspot.com

FIRE NEWS--Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

For Immediate Release:  August 7, 2014 7:00 p.m.

Central Oregon EVENING Fire Update

Central Oregon – Central Oregon experienced a significant increase in fire activity today as one new fire started and another escaped containment lines.

The Muskrat Fire, ½ mile from Muskrat Lake and 2 miles northwest of Cultus Lake, was reported at approximately 12:45 p.m. today and quickly grew to 30 acres. A total of 4 helicopters, 1 airtanker, and several rappellers and smokejumpers are working to contain the blaze burning on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level III evacuation notice for the area located on the west and north shores of Cultus Lake, which also includes the back country area, north of Cultus Lake including Corral Swamp, Winopee Lake, Muskrat Lake and Teddy Lake. A Level II evacuation notice was issued for Cultus Lake Resort and campground.

Pacific Northwest Team 3 (Type I- Lewis) has been ordered to take over management of the South Fork Complex, comprised of the Buck Fork and Murderers Creek fires located around the South Fork of the John Day River, 5 miles south of Dayville,OR.  The Murderers Creek fire began the day at approximately 37,292 acres with 25% containment but by mid-day had burned through containment lines and continued its move north and east. The Buck Fork Fire escaped containment lines as well and has pushed west into the Ochoco National Forest.  The two fires have been burning in a mix of U.S. Fish & Wildlife lands, BLM administered lands and private land. The transition to the Type I team will happen in the next day or two. There are numerous evacuations and closures in place due to fire activity for both fires. The fire information number for this incident remains 866-347-0636.

The Bear Butte 2 fire that is part of the Bridge 99 Complex started moving south today, which increased smoke over the fire area. The fire is partially burning in the old fire scar of the B&B Complex Fire (2003) and is bordered on the south by a large lava field, which should serve as the containment line for the blaze.

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