Firefighters with the Prineville BLM, Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and the Oregon Department of Forestry were busy locating about 30 new wildfires caused by the thunderstorms that passed through Central Oregon yesterday and today. Most of the new fires have been held to about 1/10th acre, and crews will remain vigilant for any holdover fires over the next several days.
The Frog Fire, burning on the east side of the Maury Mountains east of Prineville is approximately 15 acres this evening. Crews have the fire about 20% lined and will continue working on containing the fire throughout the night. The fire is burning in thick vegetation on steep slopes.
With high temperatures expected for the next week, it is likely that more fires will pop up from the lightning. Fire lookouts, aerial recon planes and crews staged on ridgetops will continue to monitor the area and respond quickly.
The Juniper Ridge Fire, which burned just under 40 acres on Bend’s northeast side, is now 100% contained. The interior of the fire has many hot spots and crews will continue mopping up and improving the containment line over the next several days.
