9/9/2018 Central Oregon Fire Update

CENTRAL OREGON – Containment increased on both fires in Central Oregon today—the Tepee Fire is now 40% contained and the Willow Fire is now 60% contained.

Crews mopped up along the 2,064 acre Tepee Fire perimeter today and will continue cooling hot spots 150 feet into the interior to gain containment. Containment numbers dramatically increased to 40% today and firefighters will remain vigilant in monitoring pockets of green unburned fuel within the fire perimeter to ensure it does not ignite and throw sparks outside fire lines. An area closure remains in place on the Deschutes National Forest for the area around and adjacent to the fire area, including the northwest section of the East Fort Rock OHV Trail System. For a map of the closure area, visit: centraloregonfire.org. In addition, the Deschues County Sheriff’s Office has lowered evacuation levels on the Tepee Fire. Now, all areas south of Forest Service Road 2015 (Ford Rd), west of Forest Service Road 2016 outside the forest boundary are on a Level 2. All areas south of Forest Service Road 2015 (Ford Rd), west of Forest Service 23 (Spencer Wells Rd), east of Forest Service Road 2016 and north of the forest boundary are on a Level 1.

Mop up continued on the Willow Fire today as crews worked in the steep and rocky terrain of the canyon to cool hot spots and secure lines. The fire is still estimated at 400 acres and containment increased to 60%. All evacuations on this fire were lifted at 10:00 a.m. today.  

Investigations revealed that the Tepee Fire was caused by an abandoned campfire. The public is reminded to heed all public use restrictions as central Oregon is still in EXTREME fire danger and campfire restrictions remain in effect. For more information on public use restrictions in central Oregon, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices