The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced a procedure for reclaiming gear for the scores of campers forced from south county campgrounds by fire over the weekend.

The Browns Creek Fire had burned more than 40 acres at last count but was surrounded by fire lines and 20 percent contained, according to the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center.

By Monday, the evacuation order for North Twin Lake and South Twin Lake campgrounds, imposed Sunday, had been lifted, according to the Sheriff’s Office. However, Forest Service Road 42 from Road 4260 to Cascade Lakes Highway remained closed. All camping was closed on the west side of Road 4260 to Wickiup Reservoir, including the Ship Bridge campground to the Gull Point Campground. The Gull Point campground was open.

Campers who evacuated will be allowed back into the area to retrieve equipment with a Forest Service escort beginning at 10 a.m. today. To return to the area, take the Cascade Lakes Highway to the intersection of Forest Service Road 42. Do not travel Road 42; it will be blocked at the Crane Prairie Junction.

Forest Service personnel will escort individuals into and out of the area to retrieve property and items that were left behind. This process will continue until the area is re-opened or all property has been removed, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

— Bulletin staff report