Friday, July 7,2023 6:00 p.m.
Central Oregon Fire Information: (541) 316-7711
Twitter: @CentralORFire #AlderCreekFire
Wheeler County, OR – July 6 at 5:00 pm fire resources responded to the Alder Creek Fire in Wheeler County, near mile post 81 on OR Route 19 (Service Creek Hwy) along the John Day River. At that time the fire was estimated to be around 20-acres. Ground & air resources continued suppression efforts throughout the evening and by nightfall the fire had grown to 225 acres.
Friday morning a Central Oregon Interagency Type 3 team took command of the fire. The fire is currently estimated to be 1200 acres, burning in steep country of juniper, sage and grass. Local RFPA resources, interagency engines, dozers and handcrews; air resources including single engine, large and very large airtankers, type 1, 2 and 3 helicopters have worked the fire today.
The fire continues to burn in an east/southeast direction, with crews and dozers making progress in containment line on the southern edge of the fire. The northern edge of the fire will continue to back down the steep slope toward the John Day River. The western edge of the fire is staying in place with the current winds continuing to push the head of the fire to the east.
OR Route 19 from its junction with OR Route 207 east to approximately mile marker 90 is currently only accessible by pilot car. Wait times will depend on current ground and aerial resource activity in the area.
Muleshoe Campground is closed due to fire activity.
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