Acres: 5,240 acres | Start Date: August 4, 2024 | Cause: Lightning | Fuels: Timber, Brush, Tall Grass | Containment: 20% | Resources: 232
Highlight: Firefighters have held the fire within the existing footprint since Tuesday and it is now 20% contained. Although, today’s hot and dry conditions will create challenges for firefighters, they will continue to improve control lines and mop up existing hot spots. Efforts today will focus on keeping the fire south of Willow Creek and from spreading any further east toward the community of Madras. Currently the fire is approximately 3.5 miles from the city limits.
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. The fire is being managed under unified command by a Central Oregon Fire Management Service Type 3 Team and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Incident Management Team along with four structural task forces
Fire Activity: Fire activity moderated during the day on Wednesday. The approximate footprint of the burned area is east of the Deschutes River from Lake Simtustus to Belmont Lane, north of Belmont Lane to SW Elbe Drive and the Dry Canyon Area, south of Willow Creek, and west of NW Clackamas Drive. Suppression efforts today will continue to focus on securing existing lines and continuing mop-up. Aerial and ground resources will continue to focus on spots within Willow Creek and Deschutes River canyons. Due to the hard work of firefighters, threats to structures have decreased. As a result, OSFM is starting to return some task forces to their home agencies.
Evacuations: Areas south of Belmont Lane saw reductions in evacuation levels yesterday. 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) and light winds are forecasted to continue today. Cooler conditions and higher relative humidities at night have continued to help firefighters improving lines and mopping up around structures.
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.
