FIRE ALERT: Little Buck Fire jumps Highway 218 near Clarno amid Red Flag Warning
CONDON, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Yesterday, on Saturday, strong winds during a Red Flag Warning caused significant growth on the Little Buck Fire, part of the Hay Creek Complex, pushing the fire south across Oregon Highway 218 near Clarno.
Strong afternoon winds yesterday drove a six-mile flame front on the Little Buck Fire toward Highway 218. Crews and local ranchers had built approximately eight miles of dozer line to try to hold the fire, but it jumped a short section of the highway near Clarno and made a large run south.
County sheriffs ordered additional evacuations, including the nearby Washington Family Ranch, with ranchers working through the night with heavy equipment to build fire lines ahead of the blaze. On its east and north sides, the fire slowed as it backed into the footprint of the Porcupine Ridge Fire and last year's Black Rock Fire scar, areas where little fuel remains to burn.
The Hay Creek Complex includes the Little Buck, Cottonwood, Hoag, Hopkin and Porcupine Ridge fires. The Hoag, Hopkin and Porcupine Ridge fires remain in patrol status after being contained. Air tankers supported ground crews yesterday, working the west edge of the Little Buck Fire for much of the day. They dropped retardant to slow the fire's spread toward the communities of Shaniko and Antelope. Aircraft flew their maximum allowable hours.
On the Cottonwood Fire yesterday, helicopters dropped buckets of water in the morning to help crews secure a section that had crossed to the far side of the John Day River canyon on Friday. Crews successfully held control lines on this fire. Hot, dry and windy conditions are expected today, with temperatures reaching the upper 80s to around 90 degrees.
Afternoon relative humidity is forecast to be near 20%. West-to-northwest winds will intensify in the afternoon, with gusts reaching 20 to 30 mph. Gusty afternoon winds could continue to challenge firefighters over the coming days.
Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations are in place for parts of Gilliam, Wasco, Wheeler and Sherman Counties. These conditions can change quickly, especially with today's predicted weather. Road closures may occur at any time due to rapidly changing conditions.
The Bureau of Land Management has fire restrictions and temporary closures in effect. A Temporary Flight Restriction is active over the Hay Creek Complex for the safety of firefighters and aircraft, prohibiting the use of drones.
Drivers should use caution and slow down when traveling through areas with firefighting vehicles and equipment, including along U.S. Highway 97. Wildfire smoke can quickly change air quality.
Crews will reinforce and strengthen control lines across the entire complex today. On the Little Buck Fire, firefighters will continue efforts on the west edge, supported by available aircraft and prepare structures. Fire managers will adjust the plan for the fire's southward push across Highway 218 and identify options for contingency lines.
As the Little Buck Fire grows toward the Crosswhite Fire footprint, both incident management teams are coordinating suppression efforts. On the Cottonwood Fire, firefighters will use infrared drones to pinpoint heat and extinguish hot spots to prevent the fire from establishing on the far side of the John Day River. Crews will also continue mop up operations, cooling and removing heat near the fire's edge, as some heat persists in the sagebrush.
