Storms spark more fires in Harney County

Thunderstorms that made their way through Harney County Monday sparked six new fires.

In a news release, Tara Martinak of the Burns BLM district said the Slope Fire was the largest of the new starts. It has burned about 760 acres near Riddle Mountain, 15 miles east of Diamond.

With dozens of firefighting resources already in the area due to the Miller Homestead Fire, the Slope fire received quick attention. At last report, firefighters were making good progress on the incident.

Monday evening, three fires were reported in the Snow Mountain/Emigrant Creek area. All were contained at less than one-tenth of an acre.

The Miller Homestead Fire was estimated Wednesday at just over 160,000 acres and 90 percent contained. Martinak says firefighters will continue holding existing control lines, complete mop-up and line construction operations and protect unburned pockets of fuel for grazing and wildlife habitat.

Fire officials say fire danger is extreme within the Burns Interagency Fire Zone. A regulated fire closure is in effect for all BLM-administered lands within that area.

Martinak said visitors should use caution when traveling through and recreating in the outdoors this time of year.