COIDC Update – August 17, 9:00 pm
CENTRAL OREGON – A storm that passed through Central Oregon on Thursday blanketed the region in several hundred lightning strikes. Today Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS) firefighters have responded to 46 new fires.
The largest fire on COFMS protected lands is currently the Mile Post 6 fire, burning on the Crooked River National Grassland. The 1,000 acre fire closed Highway 26 for part of the afternoon but aerial resources helped calm fire behavior in the evening. Firefighters anticipate getting fire line around this fire around midnight and will then work to contain and secure fire lines to achieve containment. The drag boat races that are scheduled for August 18 at Haystack Reservoir Campground will continue as planned although the Jefferson County Sheriff currently has that campground on a Level 2 evacuation.
The Sorefoot Fire is burning on Prineville District BLM managed lands approximately 5 miles northeast of Antelope, OR. Smokejumpers and engines on scene have stopped forward progression on the 800 acres fire and will work into the night to secure fire lines.
On the Deschutes National Forest, Incident 1022 near Quartz Mountain on the southeast corner of the forest is 50 acres with fire line completely around the fire. Several engines, a crew and a dozer responded to this fire and will continue to work on it through the evening to secure the line. Incident 1042, the Spring Creek Fire, is 1 ½ miles south of Monty Campground on the Sisters Ranger District and is estimated at 10 acres. Firefighters on the ground were assisted by some aerial resources and will work on this fire through the evening. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has placed a Level 1 Evacuation Notice on the Perry South and Monty Campgrounds.
COFMS sent aerial resources and an engine to an approximately 4,000 acre fire called the Stubblefield burning on private land 5 miles east of the John Day River. Oregon State Fire Marshall team will be on hand beginning tonight to help manage the incident. Incident 1018 is an approximately 250 acre fire on private land 8 miles northwest of Fossil. COFMS is also assisting Gilliam County with this incident.
####
