Late this afternoon the Lower Deck Fire was reported burning near Warm Springs, in Jefferson County. The fire is burning grass and brush on BLM Prineville ownership and Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation. Resources are working on mapping the boundary of the fire for a current size estimate. Three helicopters are dipping water from the Deschutes River to slow spread and cool hot spots on the northern and eastern flanks of the fire. Fire spread on the southern edge of the fire has been stopped and crews are working to secure the line. A large air tanker and two single engine air tankers were used to slow the fire’s growth and support the fire fighters on the ground.
Warm Springs and Zig Zag Interagency Hotshots, a BLM hand crew, and four BLM wildland engines are working with Warm Springs fire resources to control the fire. Structural engines from the Central Oregon Task Force were requested to protect structures in the area.
Cause of the fire is under investigation.
