Cat Rock Fire in Crook County now estimated to be 30 percent contained

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – With warm dry conditions persisting over the fire area, the Cat Rock Fire north of Prineville in Crook County remains at an estimated 219 acres. The forecasted weather shows temperatures remaining in the mid 90s with light winds from the northeast. These conditions aren’t expected to cause control issues but may cause smoldering of unburned fuel within the fire perimeter. Fire containment is currently estimated at 30 percent.

The Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management team is in place, with approximately one hundred firefighters on the ground. Today fire personnel continue to protect structures along the McKay Creek corridor and east of the McKay Creek Road.  In addition, crews and engines continue mopping up the fire perimeter and hot spots.

Infrared flights using an Unmanned Aircraft System (a drone) were conducted by Crook County Sheriff’s Department. The collected images will be utilized to identify and address any areas of concern. Crook County law enforcement, in consultation about fire conditions with ODF, reduced evacuation levels to a Level 1 (Get Ready) starting today on McKay Creek Road near the Cat Rock intersection all the way to the Dry Creek Road intersection.

The fire’s cause is still currently under investigation.

For more information on the Central Oregon District and fire season regulations, visit https://odfcentraloregon.com/. Check your local restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.