Fire activity continues to be brisk across Central Oregon as firefighters addressed two large incidents, responded to other emerging incidents and continue to put out small lightning-caused fires.
Boxcar Fire
The Boxcar Fire, which started 3 miles south of Maupin is now estimated to be 18,000 acres and is burning primarily in brush and grass. For most of the day the fire moved south and east away from Maupin and the Deschutes River corridor; however, around 3 p.m. the fire jumped Bakeoven Canyon and was moving back north and west toward Maupin threatening homes. Dozer line has been put in on the top of canyon protecting recreation areas along the Deschutes River.
Campers have been asked to leave four campgrounds (Wapinita, Harpham Flat, Longbend, and Devil’s Canyon) located south of Maupin. The campgrounds are not officially closed; however, in the interest of safety people are being asked to not camp in the area at this time. At this moment, rafters can still access Harpham Flat to launch boats into the river, but depending on wind direction people need to be prepared with
Highway 197 from the junction with Highway 97 is closed up to Maupin. The public should go to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Trip Check www.tripcheck.com website to get the latest updates. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) will begin managing the fire after a transition with the Type 3 Team currently on the fire.
Graham Fire
The Graham Fire, four miles south of the Metolius River arm of Lake Billy Chinook, near Culver, Oregon. The fire is burning primarily on private land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue. The fire is still estimated to be 2,000 acres. Numerous homes are threatened in the Three Rivers Subdivision and a Level 3 (GO) is still in place by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department for the subdivision. For more information on the Graham Fire people can go to inciweb.nwcg.gov.
People still can access the Forest Service’s Monty and Perry South campgrounds on the Metolius arm if they come from Camp Sherman along the Metolius River rather than from coming through Culver and Lake Billy Chinook17.
Jack Knife
The Jack Knife Fire was reported late this morning and is burning in an area 3 miles west of the John Day River and 5 miles northeast of Kent, Ore. The approximately 1,000-acre fire is burning in grass and brush. Aerial resources, primarily air tankers, are helping with the fire along with 3 engines, 3 smokejumpers, and a 20-person handcrew. There are several structures, primarily outbuildings, threat
Several small fires were reported near Crane Prairie, west of Bend. The fires were responded to and were contained.
