Containment for the Crazy Creek Fire near Paulina is at 28%, and the Elk Lane Fire near Madras is at 20% as of Thursday.

The Crazy Creek Fire started July 22 in the Ochoco National Forest about 16 miles north of Paulina. So far, the fire has burned 78,495 acres. It has 665 firefighting personnel on the scene.

Warm air trapped cooler air and smoke close to the ground Wednesday, which helped moderate fire activity, according to Cliff Russell, public information officer for the fire’s management team. But pockets of fuel will continue to ignite with light winds and dry, hot conditions, said Russell.

Crews worked Wednesday mopping up hot spots, monitoring and patrolling in the western and northern perimeters of the fire.

In the southern area of the fire, firefighters held containment lines along Forest Road 5810 to further secure infrastructure in Salters Cabin and Sugar Creek Campground.

Evacuations are still in effect for areas within Crook and Wheeler Counties and can be found on the Crook County Office of Emergency Management evacuation map.

The Elk Lane Fire 7 miles northwest of Madras started by a lightning strike on Sunday. Since then it has burned 5,240 acres as of Thursday, according to Celeste Prescott, Central Oregon Fire Management Services public information officer.

Crews were focusing on securing containment lines and mopping up hot spots to suppress the fire Thursday after firefighters worked to protect structures Wednesday with sprinklers, aircraft assistance and containment lines, said Prescott.

Evacuations in Jefferson County remain but were reduced Wednesday for areas south of Belmont Lane. Evacuation notices are updated online for those in Jefferson County.

“We still have a lot of firefighting activity going on in there,” Prescott said. “We’re asking people to stay out of the area…we’d really like their help with that.”

Prescott added that the Elk Lane Fire started and grew quickly. Currently, more than 200 personnel are working to contain the fire.

For those who are participating in outdoor activities that could cause a spark, Prescott said to be very cautious as fuels are dry.

Madras High School is a temporary evacuation site for the Elk Lane Fire with the American Red Cross on-site to provide aid. Animals can be sheltered at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.