8/11/2017 Central Oregon Fire Update

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

1605 SE Ochoco Way

Redmond, Oregon 97756

Contact:  Media Desk:  541-316-7711           Email:  Centralorfireinfo@gmail.com

Twitter:  @CentralORfire                              Blog: CentralORfireinfo.blogspot.com

FIRE NEWS--Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

For Immediate Release: 08/11/2017

Central Oregon Fire Management evening update Aug. 11

Redmond, Ore. – Another weather system moved into Central Oregon Friday evening, bringing heavy lightning activity along with wetting rains and isolated hail across the Cascade Crest, and isolated lightning strikes across the lower elevations to the east.

As of this evening, firefighters are responding to multiple small, lightning-caused fires in the higher elevations of the Cascades, the largest of which is about 4 acres, located just south of Windigo Pass and north of Mount Thielsen Wilderness.

Firefighters were responding with helicopter bucket drops and rappellers to a new start at the southern base of Mount Bachelor this evening, about one and a half miles northeast of Lava Lake. No size up is available at this time.

The Whychus fire, located about 8 miles northeast of Sisters, started by lightning yesterday but was completely lined as of this morning.

Multiple isolated starts were also discovered across the eastern portions of Central Oregon. A new start was discovered about 4 miles west of Madras and 2 miles east of Lake Simtustus in the area of Willow Canyon. Engines are responding right now. A current size up is unavailable.

A fire that started yesterday on private ground just south of Antelope is estimated at 12,500 acres and completely lined. Ashwood Rural Fire Protection Association is responding with assistance from the BLM.

Engines are responding to a new start about 10 miles south of Prineville on BLM land in the Crooked River corridor. Current size is unavailable. A fire about 4 miles northeast of Post, near Joe Butte, is estimated at 20 to 30 acres with firefighters engaged in suppression response.

Multiple small lightning starts are also being suppressed in the Ochoco mountains. A new lightning start in Mill Creek Wilderness is estimated at 15 to 20 acres. No firefighters were sent into this fire on foot today due to safety concerns over dead trees and steep terrain. The fire is being monitored.

Firefighters expect to pick up new starts throughout the evening and into tomorrow as hot, dry and windy conditions persist in many parts of Central Oregon. All Forest Service and BLM lands entered a complete campfire ban today that will continue as long as current fuel and weather conditions remain.

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