Crews battling multiple wildfires around Bend

Published 12:15 pm Monday, July 22, 2024

As of Sunday afternoon, firefighters had been successful in protecting the Round Mountain Fire Lookout. This 91-year old lookout and those who staff it provide critical wildfire detection every summer, according to a post on X by Central Oregon Fire Info.

Fresh fire starts caused by Sunday’s thunderstorms kept wildland firefighting crews busy across Central Oregon.

More than a dozen fires were reported in the region but mainly in the Ochoco National Forest north of Big Summit Prairie, according to a statement by Central Oregon Fire Info.

As crews worked to extinguish new starts, other fires continued to burn east of the Cascades.

The Wickiup Fire close to Wickiup Reservoir was 168 acres and 40% contained as of Monday morning, according to the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch. A Level 3—Go Now evacuation order remains in effect for areas north of the reservoir. The Round Mountain Fire east of Crane Prairie Reservoir was 108 acres and 10% contained.

A Central Oregon Type 3 Team is managing both incidents. Resources include hand crews, fire engines, water tenders and aerial resources. The cause for both fires remains under investigation.

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A Level 2—Be Set evacuation order remains in place for areas between Forest Road 4380 and the Deschutes River. A Level 1—Be Ready order was in place for the Haner Park subdivision east of the Deschutes River.

Closures in the Deschutes National Forest include the Bull Bend and Wyeth campgrounds and the Tenino boat launch.

Crews are also actively working to contain the Jackpine Fire southwest of La Pine. This 180-acre fire was 25% contained and prompted officials to issue a Level 2—Be Set order west of U.S. Highway 97 and south of Masten Road to the county line.

Fires across the region made for a smoky weekend in the Cascades and in Bend. The Air Quality Index in Bend reached 151, unhealthy, at 4 p.m. Sunday. Conditions improved slightly by 9 a.m. Monday morning when the AQI stood at 120 in Bend.

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