7/30/2014 11:50 am Bridge 99 Fire Update

Sisters, OR – The Level I evacuation order for all private lands along the Metolius River from Allen Springs Campground to Lake Billy Chinook (including the Metolius Arm) has been lifted.  As of 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, no evacuations exist from the Bridge 99 Complex.  Road, trail and area closures are still in effect (see details below).

The Bridge 99 Fire is nearly contained.  Smoke from unburned fuels, stump holes and large diameter woody debris continues to be reported.  Crews will continue to patrol the fire perimeter and repair damage from fire suppression efforts.  Fire hose and water pumps are being removed from the fire.

Completion of a contingency line in the event the Bear Butte 2 Fire expands south and out of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness is expected by tomorrow.

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday evening for thunderstorms producing abundant lightning.

The following Forest Service roads, trails, campgrounds and lands remain closed:

Forest Road 12, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1270/1298 to Bridge 99, Forest Road 11, from its junction with Forest Road 1120, Forest Road 1140, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1150/1180 to the intersection with Forest Road 1152, Forest Road 1154, from its intersection with Forest Road 1150 to the intersection with Forest Road 1140, andForest Road 1420400.  The Jefferson Lake Trail (#4001), Sugar Pine Ridge Trail (#4002), Shirley Lake Trail (#4003.1), and the Cabot Lake Trail (#4003) are closed within the Mt Jefferson Wilderness.  An area closure has been designated on a map that is available on the Inciweb website listed below.

The above closures will continually be assessed to determine if they remain appropriate to protect public health and safety.  Local residents and visitors are encouraged to adhere to the posted closure, as fire-weakened trees and rolling rocks exist as hazards within the area.

The Bridge 99 Complex consists of two fires (the Bridge 99 Fire and the Bear Butte 2 Fire). The Bridge 99 Fire is burning 18 miles northwest of the city of Sisters on Green Ridge, next to the Metolius River. The southern portion of the Bear Butte 2 Fire is burning in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest. The northern portion of the Bear Butte 2 Fire is on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs lands and is being managed by the Fire Team working on the Logging Unit Complex.