Central Oregon – Firefighters were challenged by hot and dry conditions but were able to make good progress on the numerous fires in Central Oregon today.
The largest fire in the area remains the Wrentham Market Fire currently estimated at 10,000 acres east of Dufur in Wasco County. It is now 38% contained. For more information on this fire, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7589/
The Rattlesnake Fire is estimated at 5,000 acres with 10% containment burning on Prineville District BLM managed lands in the area of South Junction campground and the Warm Springs Reservation. The Rattlesnake Fire is under the unified command of Warm Springs Incident Commander Lionel Smith and Type 3 Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS) Incident Commander Larae Guillory. South Junction Campground is closed and Trout Creek Campground on the Deschutes River is currently under a Level 2 (SET) evacuation order from Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. For more information on this fire, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7592/
The Ryegrass Fire is holding at approximately 1,000 acres east of the Maury Mountains and south of the Paulina Highway on Prineville District BLM lands. A hotshot crew and 3 engines are responding with aerial assistance from an air tanker dropping retardant to slow the spread. The fire remains 0% contained at this time.
There was little growth on the Dry Creek Fire (incident 449) burning south of the historic Rager Ranger Station on the Prineville District BLM. It remains an estimated 50 acres and is being staffed by 10 smokejumpers and a 20 person hand crew. Fire behavior was active but crews kept the fire in check with a helicopter cooling hot spots.
The Sulphur Spring Fire (incident 447) by Maupin Butte east of the Maury Mountains and south of Paulina Highway is 81 acres and burning on Prineville District BLM lands. Several smokejumpers and a 10 person hand crew are responding. It is 0% contained.
The Rocky Butte Fire, (incident 465) burning near Steins Pillar on the Ochoco National Forest is now 100% contained at 4 acres.
The Crystal Creek Fire (incident 453) is holding at approximately 3 acres, burning in heavy timber east of Mark’s Creek subdivision on the Ochoco National Forest. The Crook County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 2 evacuation notice for the community and surrounding area but it was quickly rescinded as firefighters were able to put a dozer line around the fire to prevent spread towards the community.
The Black Mountain Fire (incident 475) is in the area of Deep Creek on the Ochoco National Forest, 6-7 miles east of Big Summit Prairie. It is estimated to be 100 acres with 0% containment.
The Bologna Fire (incident 165 dispatched out of John Day) approximately 7.5 miles east of Spray, is estimated to be 140 acres with 0% containment. It is burning on approximately 25 acres of Prineville District BLM managed land with the remainder of the fire under the protection of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Two engines, heavy air tankers, a VLAT (very large air tanker), two Type 2 helicopters, two 5 person crews from ODF, and one engine are attacking the fire burning in grass and brush. Three structures are threatened by this fire.
With a return to hot and dry conditions over the holiday weekend, fire officials anticipate more fire starts to pop up in the next two weeks. The public is reminded that we remain in EXTREME fire danger and public use restrictions are in place on all federally managed public lands.
For up-to-date information on Central Oregon fires, visit www.centraloregonfire.org or www.twitter.com/CentralORFire
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