Central Oregon – High temperatures along with hot and windy conditions increased fire behavior across Central Oregon today.
The Laurel Fire is burning on private land and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed land approximately 7 miles northwest of Kimberly. Wheeler County Fire and Rescue along with firefighters from the BLM and US Forest Service have been working the 1,000 acre fire today along with Single Engine Air Tankers. Crews will continue the work of establishing preliminary containment lines tonight.
The Green Ridge Fire is 1,013 acres burning on the Deschutes National Forest and private land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has taken command of the fire and the Deschutes and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Offices issued a joint notice for evacuation levels on the Green Ridge Fire. Information for the Green Ridge Fire can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7012/
The Frog Fire in the Maury Mountains on the Ochoco National Forest east of Prineville is now estimated to be 530 acres with no containment. The fire made a significant push to the east and south today and an area closure will be put in place on Thursday for the safety of the public and firefighters working in the area. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will take command of the fire on Friday.
The Hog Ridge Fire 18 miles northwest of Dayville and north of Highway 26 near milepost 90 is estimated at 350 acres. Air tankers assisted crews and a dozer to construct line and by the end of the day fire behavior had moderated. Firefighters will continue holding and improving containment lines tomorrow.
The Lily Fire on Deschutes National Forest is estimated to be 37 acres and 25% contained. Smokejumpers and crews are challenged by working to suppress the fire in the 1996 Charlton Fire scar with a significant amount of downed wood. The fire is burning in heavy timber and firefighters were assisted by aerial resources cooling hot spots while they continued to build containment lines today. An area closure has been put in place for this fire: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices
Additionally, firefighters responded to numerous initial attack incidents today including the Peewee Creek Fire that was held at 12 acres. Firefighters will continue to hold, improve and mop-up containment lines tomorrow.
For up-to-date information on Central Oregon fires, visit www.centraloregonfire.org or www.twitter.com/CentralORFire
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