Update on Sugarloaf & Corner Creek Fires

NEWS RELEASE: Corner Creek Fire & Sugarloaf Fire      


July 2, 2015 11:00 a.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CENTRAL OREGON NEWS MEDIA

Oregon Department of Forestry
Incident Management Team 1
John Buckman, Incident Commander

Fire Information: (541) 987-2348


Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 has assumed suppression responsibility for the Corner Creek Fire. It is burning on the west side of the South Fork John Day River, about 11 miles south of Dayville.  The Corner Creek Fire burned 12,750 acres on the Ochoco National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Prineville District, and private lands. Part of the fire is in the Black Canyon Wilderness.

Corner Creek Fire is growing rapidly, spreading to the south and southwest. A strong and very visible pyro-cumulus clouds formed over the fire in the afternoon, towering to more than 20,000 feet. Firefighters are protecting structures in the vicinity. Fire crews are looking for opportunities to control the fire spread, including clearing fuels near forest roads to the south and west of the fire. These may be used as fire lines for burnout operations.

The South Fork Road/Hwy 42 has been closed to the general public from Dayville to the US Forest Service 58 Road junction due to fire activity. Local traffic should drive with caution due to heavy fire-related traffic.

The Sugarloaf Fire is now at 5,057 acres and 65% contained. Most of the active fire is on the northeast edge, where burnout operations continue to secure the fire line. Heavier fuels in the forested areas are requiring extensive mop up. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up around structures along Dick Creek Road. The western part of Sugarloaf Fire, Blue Basin Fire, and Schoolhouse Gulch Fire are being patrolled by firefighters.

The camp for firefighters assigned to these fires is on Highway 26 about 2.5 miles west of Dayville. Please drive with caution and watch for heavy fire traffic.

The forecast for the rest of the week is a concern for fire managers. The forecast calls for continuing hot weather with low humidity and northwest winds gusting 20 to 25 mph. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Friday and Saturday due to expected hot, dry weather with wind gusts to 30 mph.