Central Oregon — The McCaffery Fire (incident #353) is burning east of the Redmond Airport and south of Highway 126 on Prineville District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands near the Oregon Army National Guard Biak Training Center. The fire is currently estimated at 250 acres and is 0% contained.
The fire was reported approximately 2:00 p.m. and grew quickly to the south/southeast in extremely hot and dry conditions. Multiple large air tankers (LATs) and heavy helicopters were able to effectively slow the spread of the fire so BLM, Forest Service and contract engine crews, dozers and skidgines could begin constructing containment lines.
At 5:18 p.m., Deschutes and Crook County Sheriff’s Offices issued a joint Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation order for residences on Sunny Sage Road off of McCaffery Road, west Powell Butte Estates and the area south of Powell Butte Highway. As of 10:00 p.m. tonight, the Level 3 “Go Now” remains in effect for the areas on Sunny Sage Road off of McCaffery Road in Deschutes County. Crook County Sheriff’s Office has reduced the evacuation notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2 “Be Set” for the area of west Powell Butte Estates and the area to the south of Powell Butte Highway in Crook County. Stay up to date on Crook County Emergency Alerts by visiting: http://www.alertcrookcounty.org/
For Deschutes County Emergency Alerts, visit: https://www.deschutes.org/911/page/sign-deschutes-alerts
Firefighters remain on scene constructing fire line in more moderate overnight weather conditions. The public is asked to stay out of the area for the safety of firefighters and equipment working to contain the fire.
At 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, July 7, a Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management will take command of the McCaffery Fire. Multiple aerial resources remain available to the team, along with 12 engines, 2 dozers, 2 skidgines, 2 water tenders, and 1 Type 2 initial attack crew.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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