8/9 Cascade Fire update

Overall weather, smoke, and fire situation throughout Oregon.  The upper low that has provided lightning and some moisture over the state since Tuesday night will continue to provide showers and thundershowers today and through the weekend.  Moisture from these events should be the most prevalent and widespread over the state today and tomorrow.  The greatest amounts will be over the mountainous areas of the Cascades and eastern Oregon with lightest amounts in the western valleys and coast.  Nevertheless, fire activity should be suppressed over the weekend from the moisture and increased humidity levels.  Red Flag Warnings remain in place for several areas of the state, including southwest, south-central, and north-central, with ending dates that vary from tomorrow in the southwest, extending into Sunday in the north-central/northeast area.

Cascade Division Complex

The lightning-caused Cascade Division Complex is burning approximately 14 miles northwest of Sisters. Most of the small fires in the complex have been completely suppressed and the only large fire in this complex of approximately 1150 acres is the Green Ridge Fire , which is 50 percent contained, with full containment expected on Sunday, August 11..  The NorCal Interagency Incident Management Team 1 (IC: Mike Minton) assumed command of this complex on August 3, and 581 personnel are assigned.  The fire is actively burning in very steep terrain above the Metolius Basin.  Overnight, crews continued burn-out operations along the southwest and western flanks, and started mop up on the far eastern flanks.

There are no evacuations in place, but, for public and firefighter safety, there is an emergency closure in the area, including:  Forest Road 14 from the 900 - 1400 junctions, the East Metolius Trail, Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery, and three campgrounds on the Metolius River - Lower Bridge, Allen Springs, and Pioneer Ford. While these three campgrounds are closed, six popular campgrounds on the Metolius River still remain open.  For the public who wish to visit the Camp Sherman area, businesses are open.

McKenzie River Reflections