8/25/17 Increased Fire Activity Expected Today on Milli Fire

August 25, 2017    12:30 p.m.

Residents today in the Sisters area will see increased activity on the Milli Fire. Beginning early this afternoon, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team will be using air support involving planes dropping fire retardant to prepare an area north of OR 242 for a burn operation later this evening. The retardant will coat the fuel bed, putting an additional barrier between the burn and unburned fuel on the other side. This is a precautionary measure to minimize fire spread, coupled with the mechanical clearing conducted over the past few days. Crews will also be burning during the afternoon hours today along Forest Road 1018 south of OR 242. Folks who live in the Black Butte area could see flames as well as smoke during these burnout operations.

 When complete, the burnout will effectively build a line of defense between the northern end of the fire and the structures and land to the north and east. These burnout operations and retardant drops are being conducted to build a fuel break or "catcher's mitt," intended to stop the fire should it spread toward the north and east. Burning operations could continue for the next few evenings.

Warmer and drier weather is predicted to increase fire activity this weekend. Fire activity on the west side of the fire burning in the wilderness is expected to increase and smoke columns will once again be seen from the area.