Central Oregon — Central Oregon received multiple lightning strikes from several storm systems over the last 24 hours. Very light precipitation accompanied those systems. Today, firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest responded to approximately 15 wildfires ranging in initial report size from a quarter of an acre to 150 acres. Fires were predominately clustered near the Mt. Bachelor Roadless Area and the eastern edge of Flat Top Butte and East Butte. These wind-driven fires grew at a rapid rate of spread throughout the day resulting in very large acreage increases. The largest fires today include:
Firestone Fire – 3000+ acres, located SE of Newberry Caldera on the Deschutes National Forest, and burning in brush and timber. Multiple air and ground resources are responding. A Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) has been ordered.
Backside Fire – 80 acres, located west of Mt. Bachelor on the Deschutes National Forest. Multiple air and ground resources are responding.
Evacuations
Level 3 (Go Now)
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issued the following “The Backside Fire located west of Mt. Bachelor in the roadless area has necessitated Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuation notices for the Mt Bachelor area including Mt. Bachelor, Todd Creek Horse Camp, Sparks Lake, Devils Lake, and Quinn Meadow area. “
Level 2 (Be Set)
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issued the following “The Firestone Fire located south of Pine Mountain near the Lake County line necessitated a Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation area for the area south of Pine Mountain between FS 18 (China Hat Rd) and FS 23 (Sand Springs Rd).” For more information visit flashalert.net/id/DeschutesSO?alert=1 and stay up-to-date on Deschutes County evacuation notices using their interactive map: experience.arcgis.com/experience/6f8868c4477e462b8a653a89260268fc/page/INCIDENT(S)/#data_s=id%3AdataSource_1-Emergency_Response_OEM_Public_2766%3A187
It’s been a very busy fire year in Oregon. Wildland firefighting resources, not only in Central Oregon, but throughout the nation, are stretched thin. Weather predictions are calling for continued high temperatures, low humidities, windy conditions along with lightning storms which will lead to additional fire starts. Everyone needs to do their part to avoid additional human-caused starters. Remember, one less spark means one less fire putting our wildland firefighters and our communities at risk. 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. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.
