Central Oregon Fire Management Evening Update Sept. 8, 2017

Central Oregon Fire Management Evening Update Sept. 8, 2017

REDMOND, Ore.— Firefighters responded to around 30 new smoke reports since yesterday afternoon’s thunderstorms moved through the area along with several hundred lightning strikes.

Scattered moisture and cool overnight temperatures reduced fire activity this morning, but crews are responding to several new starts that popped up as the day warmed up.

The largest new fire is 6 miles northeast of Hampton, Ore. in the Cougar Wells Wilderness Study Area on the Prineville District of the BLM. The fire was first reported at 2:30 pm this afternoon and is currently estimated at 800 acres, burning in grass and shrub fuels. Multiple aircraft and engines are attacking the fire and more resources have been ordered.

Crews are also responding to several other small starts across Central Oregon, all estimated at one acre in size or smaller.

Incident 1131 is estimated at 1 acre, burning on the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest about 7 miles northeast of Black Butte, near the forest’s eastern boundary. Engines are responding.

Incident 1101 is estimated at 1 acre, burning about 3 miles west of Odell Lake in Diamond Peak Wilderness. Six smokejumpers are on scene.

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through 11 pm tonight for lightning activity and gusty outflow winds.

The area closure in place for the Milli Fire has been reduced. While the western, southern and eastern boundaries of the closure remain the same, the northern border has decreased to open access around Black Butte Ranch and Cold Springs Campground. More information on this closure can be found at the Forest Closures link below.

Firefighters continue repairing and rehabilitating fire line along the northwestern edge of the fire area. Crews also continue monitoring the perimeter as it pushes into the lava flows along Highway 242 ensuring that all hot spots are monitored until cold. The majority of heat from this fire remains in the southwestern edge of the fire perimeter as it moves slowly south in the Pole Creek burn and west into rock.

Acreage on this fire will likely grow moderately in the coming week while containment remains at 60%.  The west side of the fire continues to burn down slope with occasional torching in pockets of timber in the Three Sisters Wilderness and will continue to extinguish naturally when it runs out of fuel in the lava fields. Fire will also continue a slow move to the southwest in the Pole Creek burn area where overhead hazards remain a concern for firefighter safety. When necessary, firefighter will utilize indirect firefighting tactics like helicopter bucket drops to cool hot spots.

Links

Road Closures - OR 242 is closed east of Cascade Crest to the junction of FR 15. For further information see www.tripcheck.com

Forest Closures- For further information go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices

Smoke monitoring- Information is available at: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

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