Acres: 5,240 acres | Start Date: August 4, 2024 | Cause: Lightning | Fuels: Timber, Brush, Tall Grass | Containment: 0% | Resources: 285
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING FOR THE ELK LANE FIRE WILL BE HELD TONIGHT
AT 5:00PM ON THE JEFFERSON COUNTY OREGON SHERIFF OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE
Resources: 6 hand crews | 39 engines | 2 bulldozers | 9 water tenders
Highlight: Tuesday afternoon firefighters kept the fire north of Belmont Lane, east of the Deschutes River, and south of Willow Creek. Today’s hot and dry conditions will continue to create challenges for firefighters. Efforts will focus on keeping the fire south of Willow Creek and from spreading any further east toward the community of Madras.
Overview: The Elk Lane Fire is approximately 5,240 acres in size. It was started by a lightning strike on the evening of August 4th. A Central Oregon Type 3 Team assumed command of the fire on August 5th. Following the Emergency Conflagration Act being invoked, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Incident Management Team along with eight structural task forces mobilized. The Central Oregon Type 3 Team and OSFM Red Team are managing the fire under unified command.
Fire Activity: The fire has burned mostly within the vicinity of Belmont Lane and Elk Drives, and into the Deschutes River and Willow Creek Canyons. Crews did great work yesterday, keeping the fire in most of its existing footprint. One spot fire did occur south of Belmont Drive but was caught and mopped up by the quick response of firefighters. Suppression efforts today will continue to focus on securing existing lines and starting mop-up. Aerial and ground resources will be focused on lines in the Willow Creek and Deschutes River canyons. Structures remain threatened and evacuation notices are in place.
Evacuations: For the most up to date evacuation information in Jefferson County visit, https://tinyurl.com/mte4e75m or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff/. The Madras High School is a temporary
evacuation site, and the Red Cross is on scene. Evacuated animals can be taken to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
Importance of Fire Prevention/Fire Restrictions: All public lands in Central Oregon, are in Public Use (Fire) Restrictions. All open flames, including woodstoves and charcoal briquette fires are prohibited. In times of high fire danger, it is crucial for everyone to follow fire prevention measures to avoid additional strain on overburdened resources. The public’s cooperation in adhering to fire bans and restrictions is vital to prevent new fires from starting and to help our firefighters focus on containing the existing fires.
Weather: Hot temperatures (high 80s to above 90), low humidity values (teens to single digits) and light winds are forecasted to continue today. Cooler conditions and higher relative humidities overnight limited fire growth, allowing firefighters to keep fires within control lines.
Fire Information: The public is encouraged to call (458) 206-1745, for updates or reports from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
- No updated map was available. Yesterday’s for reference.
