Firefighters responded to a new incident located approximately 10 miles north of Prineville, near Allen Creek Road. The fire, burning in grass and brush, was reported at 11:23 a.m. on August 5, 2018. The fire is currently under investigation. Aggressive initial attack held the fire at approximately 27 acres. The fire is currently 100% lined and 40% contained.
Local resources responded with initial attack that included, four Oregon Department of Forestry engines, two U.S. Forest Service engines, four hand crews, four dozers, three water tenders, two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), three heavy air tankers, and four helicopters. Crook County Fire and Rescue assisted, providing multiple engines and a water tender, along with the Crook County Sheriff who provided additional overhead resources. The landowner provided two skidgines (part tractor used for retrieving downed timber – and part fire engine with a water tank, pump, and hose mounted behind the cab) and one dozer.
The dozers and skidgines were able to complete the fire line, and crews began mopping up by 7:00 p.m. Overnight, three 5-person crews, one engine, two water tenders, and one 20-person crew continued working on the fire. Crews will continue mopping up today with Type 4 Incident Commander Jones, one other overhead person, two tenders, three crews and two engines.
During the initial attack, as a precautionary measure, Level 1 (Get Set) evacuation notices were issued by the Crook County Sheriff’s office for the Lofton Creek area, which included approximately half a dozen residences. The Evacuation Level 1 was lifted at 6:00 p.m. on August 5, 2018.
For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
Public information contact for the Allen Creek Fire is Laura York-541-447-5658.
