Central Oregon MORNING Fire Update, 8/2

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

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FIRE NEWS--Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

For Immediate Release:  August 3, 2014 11:00 a.m.

Central Oregon MORNING Fire Update

Central Oregon – Thunderstorms brought rain, wind and lightning to Central Oregon yesterday, with over 250 strikes in 24 hours.  

Firefighters responded to several new starts across Central Oregon yesterday as afternoon thunderstorms moved through the area. With the exception of a human caused fire near the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, all fires were kept under 1 acre.

The Castle Fire is now up to 22 acres and as of 1 p.m. Sunday, August 3, will be managed by the Type II Oregon-California Incident Management Team 2, (Brett Fillis). This is the same team that was in command of the Bridge 99 Complex.  Firefighting efforts have been challenged by difficult terrain and access to the fire area. Hotshot crews have put in containment lines around the top of the fire, but cannot access the base of the fire, which is in steep, rocky terrain.. A Level 3 Evacuation remains in place for Monty Campground on the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest, as does a Level 1 Evacuation for the Perry South Campground.

The South Fork Complex grew to 16,581 acres yesterday due to gusty winds and dry fuels.  The fire crossed Murderer’s Creek and is actively burning to the north and northeast. Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (Brian J. Watts) took command of the fire on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Incident Command Post (ICP) has been set up at Gander Ranch near Dayville, OR. These fires are located approximately 20 miles south of John Day.

Oregon Incident Management Team 3 (Type II - Johnson) is still in command of the Sniption Fire, 15 miles N of Fossil, OR.  The fire is 25,937 and is 90% contained.  Oregon Incident Management Team 3 is coordinating with Gillam County on response to the fire.

The Haystack Complex is 1,740 acres and is 95% contained. Firefighters assigned to this fire have been assisting in initial attack efforts to keep lightning caused fires in the surrounding area small.  For more information on the Haystack Complex call 503-758-8253.

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