Central Oregon – A lightning storm passed through Central Oregon today and ignited two new fires on the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest. Crews are working with aerial resources on the Monty Fire (768) and Bean Creek Fire (766).
The two fires are east of Monty Campground are approximately one mile apart. The Monty Fire is estimated to be 5 acres and the Bean Creek Fire is estimated to be 20 acres, both with active fire behavior and spotting. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 1 evacuation notice (Get Ready) for houses on Montgomery Shores on the Metolius Arm. The public is asked to stay out of the area with fire traffic and local residents only past Perry South Campground.
Rappellers are working Monty and smokejumpers are working Bean Creek with a hotshot crew expected to arrive early in the morning. Shortly after the fire was first reported, firefighting efforts on the ground were supported by a heavy helicopter.
The most important thing members of the public can do to help firefighters right now is to do their part to prevent human-caused fires. With an increasing number of acres on fire in the Pacific Northwest, fire and aviation resources are stretched thin. The public is reminded that we remain in EXTREME fire danger and public use restrictions are in place on all federally managed public lands. Do your part to prevent one more spark.
For up-to-date information on Central Oregon fires, visit www.twitter.com/CentralORFire
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