Wildfire Update

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch – Fire Update June 22, 9:15 pm


June 23, 2018 5:37 am

A Day of Rapid Change for Fires in Central Oregon

With two large fires burning in Central Oregon at the start of the day firefighting resources were busy, but with continued initial attack activity and the addition of two new large fires during the day many additional resources were engaged in responding to incidents. A Type 2 federal team (Gales) has been assigned to manage the Boxcar, South Junction and Jack Knife fires. The team will take over management from the Type 3 and 4 teams managing the fires at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Fire Summaries
 
Boxcar Fire:
  • Fire began 3 miles south of Maupin, OR
  • 23,000 acres (10% containment)
  • Deschutes River Access Road is closed and Highway 197 remains closed south of Maupin to the junction with Highway 97.
  • 86 personnel currently assigned to the incident. People have been asked to stay out of the Wapinita, Harpham Flat, Longbend and Devel’s Canyon campgrounds.
  • Burn out operations off of roads are helping to improve and hold lines around the fire.
South Junction Fire:
  • Located approximately 18 miles north of Madras, OR.
  • The fire is 5,000 acres and growing with the fire continuing to push both north and south. Rural Fire Protection Associations and local ranchers are actively engaged in fighting the fire along with federal and state resources. Large pockets of fuel are within the perimeter of the fire.
  • Highway 97 currently is closed at milepost 70. Please follow closure on ODOT Tripcheck.
  • The fire is a threat to the railroad on the west, Highway 197 on the east and South Junction campground on the southwest.
 
Jack Knife Fire:
  • Located 5 miles NE of Kent, Oregon.
  • 2,000 acres (0% containment)
  • 10 single residences are threatened and the fire has reached the John Day River on the west side of the river.
  • 3 hand crews and 2 engines are assigned to the fire with air tankers doing retardant drops. Retardant is helping to keep the fire on the west side of the river and will continue to be used to prevent the spread of the fire to the east side of the river.

 

Graham Fire:
  • Located 15 miles north of Sisters, Oregon.
  • 2,055 acres (50% containment)
  • 100 structures threatened in the Three Rivers Subdivision and it remains under a Level 3 (GO) evacuation order by the Jefferson County Sheriff. 
  • 136 personnel are assigned to the fire.
  • Burn out operations will continue during the evening to secure containment lines around the fire.