Central Oregon — A Central Oregon Type 3 incident management team took command of the McCaffery Fire today at 6:00 am. The fire 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 McCaffery Fire is now 458 acres and 10% contained.
Firefighters worked through the night to put preliminary containment lines around the fire perimeter. The McCaffery Fire is not a solid black burned area; this burn is very spotty and fire managers anticipate additional work will be needed to refine the containment lines as temperatures heat up today and possible spots are found outside of the preliminary lines. Two heavy helicopters are assigned to the fire to assist firefighters on the ground in cooling hot spots and securing the perimeter. Multiple air tankers remain available to the team, along with 12 engines, 2 dozers, 2 skidgines, 2 water tenders, and 1 Type 2 initial attack crew.
A 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 a Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation notice in place 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, text “COFIRE” to 888-777.
Record high temperatures are forecast for today with wind gusts up to 20 mph in the afternoon. The public is asked to stay out of the McCaffery Fire area for their safety, as well as the safety of firefighters and equipment working to contain the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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