Winds fan new Cat Rock Fire, spreading fast to 500 acres near McKay Creek north of Prineville; Level 3, 2 evacuations
(Update Saturday evening from sheriff's office)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new wildfire fanned by heat and wind was spreading fast late Saturday afternoon near McKay Creek about six miles north of Prineville, quickly reaching an estimated 500 acres and threatening structures, bringing out numerous firefighters and prompting Level 3 GO NOW evacuations and Level 2 BE SET alerts in the area.
The Cat Rock Fire was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. and first reports from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office indicated it had burned 20 to 30 acres and was moving south and southeast in grass, brush and timbers, threatening structures.
Federal, state and Crook County Fire & Rescue crews were tackling the blaze, with several aerial resources also on scene, including air attack, air tankers and a helicopter supporting engines on the ground.
In the first of a series of videos on the sheriff’s office Facebook page, Lt. Mitch Madden said the Level 3 GO NOW was for about a mile south of the intersection of McKay Creek and Gerke roads and a mile north of the intersection with NE Cat Rock Loop.
“Please evacuate if you can,” Madden said, also asking others to stay out of the area so firefighters can do their work. Madden also said the west side of McKay Creek was not in danger.
A Level 2 BE SET pre-evacuation alert was issued from the 1800 block of McKay Creek Road south to NE Dry Creek Road.
Undersheriff Bill Elliott said a shelter was being set up at Gary Foster Hall at the Crook County Fairgrounds for any livestock that needs to be moved. He said Barn 13 has 20 stalls they can move animals to.
In an update around 7:30 p.m., Madden said crews were still fighting the blaze, dropping retardant, and said people are not allowed up McKay Creek Road.
As the evening progresses and the sun sets, Madden said they will be re-evaluating evacuation levels, in hopes of letting people return to their homes.
"We're trying to put the fire out as quickly as he can," Madden said.
Madden also said power was cut in the area, and Pacific Power's outage map showed 94 customers under an emergency de-energization.
