Fire closes Old McKenzie Hwy.

MCKENZIE BRIDGE: Hwy 242 closed around 2:45 p.m. on Sunday due to an explosive fire in heavy timber near Pole Creek, west of the city of Sisters. State crews blocked the roadway at the White Branch Youth Camp on the west side and milepost 89 on the east side. ODOT advises motorists to avoid the highway.

During the afternoon, the fire expanded to approximately 1,500 acres. U.S. Forst Service personnel patrolled the nearby region to locate hikers in the area and direct them to safe areas. Evacuations of some residences have taken place. Highway 20 over the Santiam Pass remains open.

The fire was reported at 10:45 a.m. near the Pole Creek Trailhead. A heavy air tanker, three helicopters and an engine, along with fire crews, are on the scene. Windy conditions prevented smoke jumpers from accessing the fire.

Smoke jumpers were unable to access the fire due to windy conditions.

The weather forecast calls for windy conditions tomorrow.

McKenzie River Reflections