FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2022
Central Oregon – Firefighters made great progress today on existing wildfires across central Oregon. Resources were able to quickly find and respond to new starts throughout the day. Scattered thunderstorms with abundant lightning began moving across the area this afternoon bringing new starts. In total, resources have responded to roughly 40 incidents across central Oregon since yesterday.
Forward progression on the Fly Creek Fire has been stopped. Firefighters held the fire at 280 acres today and increased containment to 25%. Dozer line has been constructed around 80% of the fire perimeter. Control lines held this afternoon, despite being tested by 15 mph winds. Air support dropped retardant again late this afternoon to ensure containment efforts on the ground held. Firefighters will remain on scene securing control lines overnight. The Level 3 evacuation notice for the Perry South and Monty Campgrounds and the Level 2 evacuation notice for the Three Rivers area both remain in place. For information on evacuations, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff.
This evening, Firefighters are responding to seven smoke reports, Incidents 512-518, located north and northeast of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness area near the intersection of George Millican Rd. and Reservoir Rd. These reports were spotted by aircraft and are primarily on Prineville District BLM lands. All of the new starts are small, single-tree fires in close proximity to each other. There are a number of resources in the area, four of the incidents are currently staff. The remaining fires will be staffed this evening as resources secure the incidents they are currently working on.
Smoke Jumpers are still in route to Incident 519 on the Deschutes National Forest located in the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness. More information will be available on this smoke report when resources arrive on scene.
Firefighters secured 50% containment on the 1-acre Juniper Creek Fire today. Resources have left this fire for the night and will be returning tomorrow morning. Several smoke jumpers and one engine will be staying out overnight on Incident 505 located near the Fly Creek Fire to continue mopping up. Incident 506, located near Lava Lake, remains at 0.2 acres. Smoke jumpers will continue mopping up and stay overnight on this fire as well. The tenth-of-an-acre West Cultus Fire and Incident 505 are both 100% contained.
Thunderstorms are expected to continue over portions of central Oregon tonight. Strong outflow winds and frequent lightning remain the primary concerns for any new and existing fires. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for gusty winds and low relative humidity through tomorrow at 9 p.m. Firefighters are prepared and will remain vigilant for any hold-over fires that may become visible tomorrow.
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