Central Oregon – Gusty winds and hot temperatures increased fire behavior on all incidents in Central Oregon, especially the Green Ridge Fire northeast of Camp Sherman that is now estimated at 500 acres.
The Green Ridge Fire on the Deschutes National Forest saw tremendous growth today as wind pushed it east onto private land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Aerial resources assisted by cooling hot spots and laying down retardant to slow the progression of the fire, which remains 5% contained. Crews will also continue to construct and improve fire lines across the fire, including dozers who will work through the night to put in direct fire line on the east flank of the fire to prevent further fire spread onto private land. Additionally, they will be patrolling for spot fires in the area. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will take command of the fire at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, which will bring in additional resources to help contain the fire. While there are no evacuations currently in place, forest officials will be putting in place an area closure tomorrow that includes Forest Road 11 north of the Black Butte Trailhead.
Smokejumpers and a hand crew from the Willamette National Forest continued to work on the Lily Fire northeast of Lily Lake in the Charlton Roadless Area on the Deschutes National Forest (DNF). The fire, burning is continuing to burn through the 1996 Charlton Fire scar and into nearby heavy timber, growing to the north and east, and is now estimated to be 30 acres and 10% contained. The heel of the fire is within 100 feet of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) on the DNF, and forest officials on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forest have worked together with the Pacific Crest Trail Association to monitor and address the situation by looking at closures and trail reroutes. Officials anticipate the closures will be put into place tomorrow (Wednesday).
The Frog Fire in the Maury Mountains on the Ochoco National Forest east of Prineville is now estimated to be 40 acres with no containment. The spot fire that started last night growing together with the main fire during the day, though fire behavior was somewhat moderated by the assistance of a heavy helicopter cooling hot spots while crews continued to construct fire line. Steep terrain remains a challenge on the north side of the fire burning in thick timber. Crews will work late into the night to begin prepping for a possible burnout operation in the next few days if conditions are favorable. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is expected to take command of the fire tomorrow.
For up-to-date information on Central Oregon fires, visit www.centraloregonfire.org or www.twitter.com/CentralORFire
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