Muskrat Fire Information Update, 8/12

Muskrat Fire Information Update:  August 12, 2014 8:00 a.m.

For more information:  Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
Media Desk:  541-416-6811           Email:   Centralorfireinfo@gmail.com	Twitter:  @CentralORfire                              Blog: CentralORfireinfo.blogspot.com

Location: ½ mile from Muskrat Lake and 2 miles northwest of Cultus Lake. The fire is located within the Three Sisters Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest.

Size: Approximately 50 acres

Containment: 25%

Fire Update:

The Color Country Type 3 Team (Jaca) has command of the fire and is working diligently for rapid containment. 

One helicopter, one hand crews and two wildland fire modules are assigned to the fire today and will continue to hold containment lines, mop up, and begin rehab within the Three Sisters Wilderness.    

The area remains under extreme fire danger with thunderstorms likely this afternoon.

As of August 12, 2014 at 8:00 a.m., all evacuation notices issued by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in the Cultus Lake area are lifted.  However, the US Forest Service Emergency Closure remains in effect to protect the public and firefighter safety during continuing fire operations and fire activity in the area.

Evacuations:  As of August 12, 2014 at 8:00 a.m., all evacuation notices issued by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in the Cultus Lake area are lifted.

Emergency Area Closure:

Closed National Forest Service Lands include: areas on the west and north shores of Cultus Lake including: West Cultus Campground, Big Cove Campground, Little Cove Campground, boat-in areas north and west on Cultus Lake, and back country areas and trails north of Cultus Lake including Corral Swamp, Winopee Lake, Muskrat Lake and Teddy Lake.

Six Lakes Trailhead is closed to accommodate Incident Command Post (ICP). 

Lands generally described as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 to the west; Winopee 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 Winopee Lake Trailhead to the east.

Closed National Forest Service System Trails include:

·         Deer Lake Trail #6 from the Deer Lake Trailhead to the junction with Many Lakes Trail #15

·         Corral Swamp Trail #8 in its entirety

·         Teddy Lake Trail #5 in its entirety

·         Many Lakes Trail #15 in its entirety

·         Winopee Lake Trail #16 in its entirety

·         Metolius Windigo Trail #99 from the junction with  Corral Swamp Trail #8 to the junction with Senoj Lake Trail #41.1

The Pacific Crest Trail remains open.