23,000-acre Boxcar Fire merging with 5,000-acre blaze

(Update: Firing operation to merge two fires; Maupin meeting on Boxcar Fire; Jack Knife Fire closes John Day River)

The Boxcar Fire burning south of Maupin has grown to 23,000 acres and was being joined late Saturday with the the new 5,000-acre South Junction Fire that broke out Friday north of Madras and had closed U.S. Highway 197 for hours.

Smoke moving into areas of the High Desert on Saturday could be from the Boxcar Fire, as firefighters were conducting a firing operation late in the day to join it and the South Junction Fire.

Forest Service spokeswoman Kassidy Kern said that was being done to “decrease the risk that firefighters could get trapped between the fires and be in a compromised situation. They are lighting off of Highway 197 tonight and should have it tied into the river by (Sunday) morning.

Here’s the Saturday morning update on those lightning-sparked blazes and another large fire along the John Day River:

Hundreds of lightning strikes on June 20-21 caused nearly 70 wildfires throughout central Oregon. The Boxcar and South Junction Fires are in Wasco County near Maupin. The Jack Knife Fire is in Sherman County, along the John Day River northeast of Kent.

Initial attack resources from the Central Oregon Fire Management Service, the Rural Fire Protection District, Maupin Fire Department, Mt. Hood National Forest, The Dalles Fire Department, and local ranchers have been fighting these fires since their detection.

Strategic use of retardant and heavy helicopters has protected values at risk. As the fires have grown to large sizes and complexity, a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Northwest Incident Management Team #13) has taken over command of these fires as of 6 a.m. Saturday.

Boxcar Fire InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5862/

Estimated Acreage: 23,000 acres Containment: 10% Reported June 21, 07:48 am, Lightning

The Boxcar Fire is the largest of the three incidents with an estimated 23,000 acres burned. Firefighters have been challenged by gusty winds which have pushed the grass and brush fire south and east. Hwy 197 ws closed between milepost 67 (the intersection with Hwy 97) and Maupin. (The highway was open again Saturday afternoon, according to KTVZ.COM’s TripCheck page.)

In the Maupin area, firefighters will be anchoring south of Maupin to build and secure containment lines to the north and east. On the western flank, the fire is approaching the Deschutes River south of Maupin. Firefighters will be looking for places to safely engage to protect river recreation, private properties and cultural sites.

Firefighters engaging the Boxcar Fire on the east flank will work to stop easterly progression by using Highway 97 as containment line.

Central Oregon fire officials said Saturday afternoon on their Twitter feed that Bakeoven Road would close for burnout operations.They said all residents in the area from Highway 97 to Highway 216 and from the Deschutes River to South Junction Road were on a Level 1 pre-evacuation notice to prepare, should conditions worsen.

An informal “stand-up” meeting on the Boxcar Fire was scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at the South Wasco County High School football field in Maupon, to get a quick briefing on the fire and answer questions.

South Junction Fire

Estimated Acreage: 5,000 acres Containment: 0% Reported June 21, 3:00 pm, Lightning

· This fire has made significant runs to the north and south from its origin west of Hwy 197 approximately 18 miles north of Madras. It will likely join the Boxcar Fire today and, after that happens, both will be referred to as the “Boxcar Fire.”

· Firefighters are coordinating with local ranch resources on containment lines.

Jack Knife Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5864/

Estimated Acreage: 2,000 acres Containment: 0 Reported June 22, 8:11 am, Lightning

· This fire is burning 5 miles northeast of Kent and 11 miles southeast of Grass Valley. The Jack Knife Fire has reached the John Day River in several locations. Fire has spread north to Wilson Point and south to Adobe Point. Approximately 10 ranches and outbuildings are scattered along the fire perimeter. Structure protection measures are in place for ranch homes and historical structures along the river. Today, fire officials will scout opportunities for containment on this fire.

The John Day River was closed Saturday between mile 68 and 55 due to fire activity on both sides of the river and fire operations in the area.

Closure Summary:

· Hwy 197 is closed from south of Maupin from the town of Maupin to milepost 67, the junction with Hwy 97.

· People can still use the Deschutes River for boating and recreation. Camping is being discouraged between Trout Creek and Maupin. This involves Harpham Flat, Longbend, Wapinita and Devil’s Camp. Boat ramps are still open for launching and takeout, but vehicles cannot be parked at the launch sites and a shuttle service should be utilized. Periodically the river may be closed by local rangers in order to facilitate helicopter water dips. On the John Day River, river miles 68 through 55 are closed to camping.

Meanwhile, a Warm Springs fire official said lines are holding on the Whiskey and Seekseequa Fires, with no change in acreage and “heavy mop-up” under way Saturday.