Desolation fire holds through the night

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                     September 14, 2017                                                                                     

Desolation fire holds through the night

Central Oregon � The Desolation fire stayed within planned containment lines through yesterday evening�s gusty winds as firefighters worked through the day and into the night to keep the fire north of Highway 26 and protect adjacent private residences. An overnight infrared flight mapped the fire at 1,568 acres and showed that most of yesterday�s fire growth occurred to the north and still within Mill Creek Wilderness. The fire is still 0 percent contained.

A Level 2 evacuation notice remains in effect for residents in the Mark�s Creek area. The Level 2 evacuation urges residents to stay alert and be prepared to leave if the need arises.

Around 195 firefighters are assigned to the fire and will continue working today on completing burnout operations along Forest Road 200, between the fire and private homes along Highway 26, with plans to continue northeast along Forest Roads 250 and 300 toward Cortez Creek. Crews with logging equipment will also continue working along Forest Road 27 to create a fuel break in the event the fire should move to the north. A structure protection group is working to remove fuels directly surrounding private homes.

Forecasts call for cloudy, cooler conditions with the chance of rain starting today, which should help moderate fire behavior. Smoky conditions will continue today in the fire vicinity and along Highway 26 in the Ochoco Divide area due to fire suppression burnout operations and the wildfire. Motorists should use caution when travelling through the area. Residents who suffer from respiratory or heart conditions should monitor air quality and stay indoors or consider travelling to town until the air clears.

There will be a community information meeting today at 5 pm at the Eastside Church, 3174 NE Third Street, in Prineville to share updates about the fire. 

A temporary closure order remains in effect for all of Mill Creek Wilderness and Forest Service land north of the wilderness up to and including Forest Roads 27, 2730 and 2745.

For more information, call (541) 316-7711 or follow us online at http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter at @CentralORFire