Central Oregon Fire Update, 8/7

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

4550 SW Airport Way

Prineville, OR  97754

Contact:  Media Desk:  541-416-6811           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 10:00 a.m.

 Central Oregon Fire Update

Central Oregon – With the exception of the South Fork Complex, several Central Oregon fires are being downgraded to Type III and Type IV incidents and management of these fires is being transferred back to local units.

The South Fork Complex continues to grow as strong winds swept across the fire area yesterday afternoon and increased fire activity. The complex is made up of the Murderers Creek South fire which grew to 37,292 acres yesterday and the Buck Fork Fire. Firefighters have put in strong containment lines on the west flank of the Murderers Creek fire, keeping it east of the South Fork John Day River. Fire line has been put in around the Buck Fork Fire, which increased to 2,239 acres yesterday, and firefighters on the ground are working closely with aerial resources to identify and attack spot fires that escape containment lines. These fires are located approximately 20 miles south of John Day. For more information on this complex, call: 866-347-0636.

The Goose Paint fire will likely be turned back to local units tomorrow and will be put into patrol status. The fire was held at 190 acres nine miles north of Mitchell, Oregon and burned a mix of private and BLM-administered lands.

The Castle Fire on the Deschutes National Forest is 85% contained and management of the fire will be transferred back to the local unit. Fire lines held around the 16 acre fire yesterday despite stronger-than-normal winds across the fire area. The area closure associated with this fire and the Bridge 99 Complex remains in place, which includes the Monty Campground.

The National Weather Service in Pendleton is forecasting possible thunderstorms with lightning through this weekend. Due to the potential impact of more lightning in the area, the Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS) will be maintaining staffing levels for crews and resources through the weekend.

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