Central Oregon – Firefighters responded to three new fires today, the largest of which was the Finley Fire, southeast of La Pine near Darlene Way and Finley Butte Road.
The Finley Fire was reported around 2:30 p.m. by Round Mountain Lookout and quickly grew to several acres. Six engines, two dozers, and a crew responded to the fire in addition to one VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) and two SEATs (Single Engine Air Tanker). Due to the tremendous interagency response by the US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Walker Range Forest Protection Agency, La Pine Fire Department, Bend Fire, Sunriver Fire Department and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Finley Fire was held to 45 acres.
Incident 380 was a 2 acre fire near Pronghorn resort and incident 379 was an abandoned campfire.
The Alder Creek Fire has been more accurately mapped at 68 acres. While there’s no containment being reported at this time, crews have stopped forward progress and continue to mop-up the perimeter. The lightning caused fire burned on private lands near Prineville District BLM and Oregon Department of State Lands in the Service Creek area.
The Paulina Lake Fire near Highway 97 and north of Forest Road 21 on Prineville District BLM managed lands is now 80% contained at 48 acres.
The public is reminded to be careful with any ignitions on public lands. Central Oregon is currently in HIGH fire danger, meaning fuels are very receptive to ignitions. If you are recreating on public lands, remember to remain diligent about ensuring all campfires are ‘dead out’ and cold to the touch when you leave them, all spark arrestors are properly installed, and trailer chains are secured.
