Wheeler County, OR – The Alder Creek Fire has been held in the primary footprint as firing operations progressed throughout the day. Ignitions have been completed and firefighters will hold the containment lines this evening.
With thunderstorms in the forecast and the area under a Red Flag Warning until 11:00 p.m. this evening, firefighters will staff the fire once again tonight. Sunday will be hot with temperatures in the low to mid 90s, relative humidity dropping into the teens, and a slight chance of thunderstorms into the evening.
The western and southern sides of the fire continued to hold and were patrolled with aerial delivered firefighters. Crews and engines successfully used ground ignitions to bring fire to the eastern containment line, Horseshoe Creek. The northern side along the John Day River began mop-up with skidgens, engines, and handcrews. Operations tonight will hold the current perimeter, mop-up, and patrol for spots outside of containment lines.
The Wheeler County Sheriff’s department is in contact with residents and landowners for potential evacuation needs, including one home south of the fire and homes on the north side of the John Day River.
Currently OR Route 19 from the junction with OR Route 207 east to approximately mile marker 90 is only accessible by pilot car during daylight hours. Pilot cars and flaggers will not be in place after dark. Wait times will depend on current ground and aerial resource activity in the area. There is a potential for the road to be closed at any time if fire activity deems necessary.
Muleshoe Campground is closed due to fire activity.
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Central Oregon Fire Information: (541) 316-7711
Twitter: @CentralORFire #AlderCreekFire
