(Central Oregon) – A Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS) Type 3 Incident Management Team is now in command of the Petes Lake Fire. The team continues to manage the construction of the shaded fuel break along the Cascades Lakes Highway and monitor fire activity to minimize growth.
Cascade Lakes Highway remains closed from Elk Lake to Lava Lake. Pilot cars continue to detour drivers around this closed section of the highway while firefighters work on the shaded fuel break. The highway is currently projected to reopen by Sunday.
In the next several days, our area is forecast for hotter, drier weather, which could mean increased fire activity and smoke over the fire area. Fire managers remain engaged in fire activity, so there is no need to report the smoke.
The Petes Lake Fire was started by a lightning strike on Friday, August 25, near the border of the McKenzie River Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest and the Bend Fort-Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest in the Mink Lake Basin area of the Three Sisters Wilderness. The fire has burned 329 acres, five miles west of Elk Lake.
Closures: The closure order on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests for the Petes Lake Fire remains in place and information can be found at: fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1134682.
Resorts along the Cascade Lakes Highway remain open for business, though visitors may encounter delays with road flaggers and pilot cars. The Wanoga SnoPark, Mirror Lake Trailhead and Point Campground are temporarily closed to the public.
Evacuations: The Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuation Notice is still in place for all areas west of the Cascade Lakes Highway from the Lucky Lake Trailhead north to the Mirror Lake Trail. This includes the areas around Lucky Lake, Leech Lake, Doris Lake, Blow Lake and Mirror Lakes. Evacuation notices and updates can be found at: www.deschutes.org/emergency.
Safety: The public can help firefighters by obeying trail closures and following the detour instructions in the shaded fuel break work areas. Keep vehicle and bike speeds low near work areas. Follow all fire restrictions.
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