7/3 Central Oregon Fire EVENING Update

CENTRAL OREGON, Ore. – A new wildfire (Incident #318) was reported one mile west of Horse Butte, three miles southeast of Bend. At press time the fire is estimated to be one acre burning in brush and timber, and two 10-person hand crews, three engines and two water tenders have responded and put fire line and hoses around the fire perimeter. The cause is under investigation.

Firefighters increased containment to 80% on Incident #312 located five miles south of Clarno. The fire is now 2,150 acres after crews were able to complete a burnout operation and secure containment lines. The cause of the fire is believed to be human and is under investigation.

The Corner Creek Fire, 11 miles south of Dayville, remains the largest fire in the area and firefighters continue to be challenged by high temps, steep slopes, light fuels and afternoon winds. This morning, the fire was reported at 19,300 acres and no updated acreage has been released today. Due to the rapid growth of this fire, several closures are in order for public safety. Beginning July 2, 2015, the public is prohibited from accessing any of the lands that are closed for the protection of public health and safety. The closure includes all National Forest System roads and trails in the following area:

On the North, from the Ochoco Forest boundary at the North Fork of Birch Creek in Township 13S, Range 25E, Section 30, south to the Ochoco Forest Boundary near the junction of the 58 and 030 roads (including Sugar Creek Campground), and all roads, trails and Forest lands east to the Ochoco Forest Boundary (see Inciweb map).

In addition to the closure in place on the Ochoco National Forest, the South Fork Road/Co. Rd. 42 has been closed to the general public from near Dayville to south of the US Forest Service 58 Road junction due to fire activity. To read the entire closure order and view a map of the area closure, please visit the Corner Creek Inciweb webpage at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4349/25521/

 

A Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity is in effect through 8 pm Saturday. This means that any new fire will have a very high potential to spread rapidly. Fire officials want to remind everyone that in the high temperatures and very dry conditions, small sparks can start a wildfire. Legal fireworks should only be used where they are allowed, and metal containers or buckets with water should be available for properly disposing used fireworks. Fireworks are NOT allowed on Forest Service or BLM land. Cigarettes should always be disposed of properly and never thrown on to roads or in vegetation.

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