7/27/2017 Central Oregon AM Update

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Update - July 27, 11:00 a.m.

Redmond, Oregon –Approximately 150 lighting strikes were recorded across Central Oregon yesterday and firefighters responded to 9 new fires—all held to under ½ acre—on public lands. While the storms have passed, firefighters expect to be responding to new fires from those strikes in the coming days and weeks.

Firefighters will continue constructing and improving containment lines on the Emerson Fire, 5 miles northeast of Madras today. Firefighters expect to see minimal growth on the fire today that is estimated to be 10,619 acres burning on private land and the Crooked River National Grassland. Containment remains at 30%. This fire was determined to be human caused.

As we reach the peak of fire season, fire officials want to remind the public that hot and dry weather conditions have created extreme fire conditions throughout Central Oregon. Fire restrictions are now in place on public lands, limiting campfires to only designated campgrounds. The public is asked to avoid driving or parking over dry grass and properly extinguish cigarette butts before disposing of them. As a reminder, fireworks and exploding targets are always illegal on public lands. 

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