8/24/17 Central Oregon Fire Information Evening Update

August 24, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: (541) 316-7711

COIDC Evening Update, August 24

Redmond, OR – With warmer temperatures, stronger winds, and clear skies come new fire reports. Unfortunately, more than one of the fires that has been reported today is a result of people having an illegal campfire. Remember, there is complete open fire ban on public lands in central Oregon due to high fire danger. Additionally, there is an Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) 4 in place on public lands, meaning the public cannot cut firewood for personal use.

Air quality conditions continue to be a concern for residents and visitors of central Oregon. Smoke from the Milli Fire, fires in the Willamette National Forest, and from areas as far away as northern California have blanketed the area this week. Air quality conditions have improved today, but with clearing skies the potential for new wildfires and fire activity increases. For information on air quality, visit http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/ or http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ 

Milli Fire – Firefighters began burnout operations this afternoon, progressing from the fire's edge on the 1018 road to the north. The cold front cleared the skies and allowed aircraft to support the firefighters on the ground. A Type 1 helicopter used bucket drops to help the burnout operations and crews who are continuing to take care of hot spots on the fire edge.

Evacuations:

Level 2 (Set) - The subdivisions of Crossroads, Edgington/Remunda, Wildwing, Peterson Burn Road Area, and along both sides of Three Creeks Lake Road (Forest Road 16) about one mile south of Sisters from the junction of the Brooks Scanlon logging road.

Level 1 (Ready) - The subdivision of Tollgate, all areas between OR 242 and HWY 20 and west of Cold Springs Cutoff (FS1018), which includes Black Butte Ranch.

Level 1: Means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.

Level 2: Means “BE SET” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.


For information on the Milli Fire, call 541-719-8135 or visit inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5517 

Watkins Fire – Discovered last night, this fire started in the Bend-Fort Rock district of the Deschutes National Forest, east of Fox Butte. This fire quickly crossed into Bureau of Land Management property and has grown to 98 acres this afternoon. There are eight engines, one dozer, and two water tenders continuing to work on the fire this evening.

For more information, follow us at http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter at @CentralORFire. For the Central Oregon Fire Information hotline, please call 541-316-7711.