08/16/2017 Central Oregon Fire Update

COIDC MORNING Update, August 16

Redmond, OR – Clear and dry conditions with winds out of the northwest continue to persist over central Oregon. There were three new fires yesterday, all of which we contained at less than a half acre. There is the potential today for dispatch to receive new smoke reports from the lightning over the area last week and crews are ready to respond to any new reports. We are asking visitors and residents to follow all fire bans and use extra precautions when visiting public lands during this time of increased visitation and high fire danger.

Milli Fire – Located in the Three Sisters Wilderness, the Milli Fire is estimated at 260 acres and 2% contained. There are currently 176 personnel on the fire including three type 2 crews, six IA crews, four dozers, four masticators, and a variety of overhead resources.   The fire is currently 8 miles west of Sisters and about one and a half miles southwest of Black Crater Lake. Moderate fire activity was observed yesterday and is expected again today with continued fire spread to the east and northeast.  The fire is partially burning in an old fire scar with significant stands of dead timber caused by the 2006 Black Crater Fire. Yesterday, wind driven runs pushed the fire out of the wilderness onto non-wilderness Forest Service lands. Today, crews will continue direct and indirect suppression strategies while improving existing Forest Service roads and establishing containment line to protect private property. There is a public meeting planned for Thursday, August 17, at 6:00 P.M. at the Sisters Middle School (15200 OR-242, Sisters, OR 97759).

The Willamette and Deschutes National Forests have implemented a closure order for a large portion of the Three Sisters Wilderness. The Willamette National Forest has closed all trails south of Highway 242 into the Three Sisters Wilderness on the Willamette National Forest with the exception of Proxy Falls, which remains open.   Also closed is the Obsidian Trailhead and Obsidian Limited Entry Area.

The area closure also includes Deschutes National Forest managed lands within the Three Sisters Wilderness that are threatened by fire activity. The northern closure area border includes trails south of Highway 242 and west of Forest Road 1018 and east of the Three Sisters Wilderness Boundary on the Willamette National Forest down to approximately Scott’s Pass Trail, which is also included in the closure. In addition, the closure area contains trails north of Cascade Lakes Highway, west of the South Sisters Climber Trail and includes all of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Elk Lake north to the PCT Trailhead near Lava Camp Lake Campground. For up-to-date information on closures on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and trail reroute options, visit https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/trail-conditions-and-closures/. 

While the closure includes all trails east of the PCT from Elk Lake to the South Sisters Climber Trail, the South Sisters Climber Trail and Elk Lake Trail remain open. Popular areas like Wickiup Plains and Sisters Mirror Lake are closed.

• Recreationists should be aware of these additional trail closures: Black Crater Trail #4058, Millican Crater Trail #4066, Scott Pass Trail #4068, North Matthieu Lake Trail #4062, Trout Creek Tie Trail #4067, Millican Crater Trailhead, Scott Pass Trailhead, A portion of the Green Lakes Trail #17 is closed from Pole Creek Trail #4072 to Scott Pass Trail #4068, Moraine Lake Trail from South Sister Climber Trail to Leconte Crater Trail, Leconte Crater Trail, Devils Lake Trail, Mirror Lakes Trail, Elk-Devils Trail, and Horse Lake Trail.
• Green Lakes Trail #17 from the Cascade Lakes Highway to the Pole Creek Trail #4072 is OPEN.  

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire. Information on the TFR can be found at http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_1668.html.  This TFR is in place for all aircraft, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Whychus Fire – Located about eight miles northeast of Sisters, is currently 2030 acres and 90% contained. 

Belknap Fire – Located in the Mill Creek Wilderness on the Ochoco National Forest, the Belknap Fire is estimated at 123 acres and 5% contained. There are 83 personnel assigned to the fire including three crews, three engines, and three dozers. Crews will be working to reinforce the retardant line around the fire by constructing hand line using extra precautions due to hazard trees from the 2000 Hash Rock Fire.

A trail closure has been put in place by the Ochoco National Forest for trails within the Mill Creek Wilderness.  All hiking trails within Mill Creek Wilderness are temporarily closed to the public including Twin Pillars Trail #832; Wildcat Trail #833; and Belknap Trail #833A.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire. Information on the TFR can be found at http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_9749.html. This TFR is in place for all aircraft, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

North Pole Fire – Located eight miles east of Shaniko and is currently 5075 acres and 0% contained and is burning on private lands and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

For more information, follow us at http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter at @CentralORFire

For Central Oregon Fire Information hotline, please call 541-316-7711.

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