New forest fire burning near Detroit Lake, Highway 22

A forest fire broke out Saturday afternoon in the steep, tree-covered hills over Detroit Lake and within hours was within a mile of state Highway 22, prompting ODOT to urge drivers to use other routes that connect Central Oregon with the Willamette Valley.

Elsewhere, It wasn’t just another workday, but it was a workday nonetheless Saturday for nearly 1,000 firefighters battling the two largest in a string of wildfires in Central Oregon and across the state, including the now-22,000-acre Corner Creek Fire south of Dayville.

The Niagara Fire was highly visible for Highway 22 drivers near Big Cliff Dam, seven miles east of Gates, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The 20- to 30-acre fire had grown to as much as 70 acres before nightfall. It was burning in the Santiam Unit of the ODF’s North Cascade District, and was “running and has high potential for growth,” according to the department’s update late Saturday afternoon.

The fire was burning in heavy timber on steep terrain. The cause was under investigation.

ODOT officials said the highway was open but warned there could be periodic lane closures as firefighting equipment is moved into and around the area. Drivers were warned to proceed cautiously and expect delays.

Resources on the fire included U.S. Forest Service and area fire agencies, along with a heavy air tanker and SEAT plane, along with a helicopter, lead plane and fire engines and bulldozers.

Saturday apparently was a good day on the Corner Creek fire lines,, 11 miles south of Dayville by the Black Canyon Wilderness, said COIDC spokeswoman Lisa Clark. Burnout operations are planned in some less active areas to clean up the fire lines.

Along with about 940 firefighters on the Corner Creek and nearby Sugarloaf fires, air support was in full force on Corner Creek Saturday, including three “heavy” air tankers, four SEATs (single-engine air tankers) and seven light, medium and heavy (Types 1-3) helicopters, according to the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center in Prineville.

To the north, in Wasco County, the lines held on Incident #312, a 2,150-acre wildfire five miles south of Clarno, which was declared fully contained Saturday, officials said. Crews there were mopping up hot spots and holding and improving containment lines.

Here’s the Saturday morning update on the Corner Creek and Sugarloaf fires:

Firefighters continue the hard work and dedication to contain the Corner Creek Fire, burning 11 miles south of Dayville. As of Saturday morning, the fire was estimated at 22,000 acres in size and 5 percent contained.

The fire continues to burn actively on the west side of the South Fork John Day River, and conditions remain extremely challenging. Heat and dry weather, with wind gusts up to 20 mph, are causing the fire to run, spot, and torch into timber and rangeland.

“We’re in a tough fight,” says Operations Chief, John Flannigan. “We have knocked the fire down a couple of times, but it continues to get back up. We hope to deliver the final blow soon.”

Firefighters are working to stop fire progression to the south, hold and continue mop up on the east, and begin burn out and hold the west.

Private land allotments to the south and west of the fire are threatened. The team is preparing for future expected growth and is working hard to protect structures near the fire.

Ochoco National Forest roads are closed on the north, from the forest boundary at the North Fork of Birch Creek , south along the 5820 Road to the Ochoco Forest boundary at the Rager Airstrip.

All roads, trails, and forest lands east of the Ochoco Forest boundary are also closed. Travel on the South Fork John Day Road (County Rd 42) is limited to residents and fire personnel only.

The Sugarloaf Fire north of Dayville is now 90 percent contained, with a total size of 4,470 acres. Mop up and hazardous tree felling continue on the northeast edge of the fire.

The majority of the Sugarloaf Fire and all of the Blue Basin Fire are being patrolled, with emphasis on the areas around the structures. A total of 941 resources are assigned to the Sugarloaf and Corner Creek fires.

A red flag warning remained in effect until 8:00 p.m. Satur day due to temperatures near 100 degrees and very low humidity. The hot weather conditions are expected to continue through the weekend.

Please use caution with fireworks and campfires over the 4th of July weekend. Be sure to check regulated closures at www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/fire/precautionlevelmap.aspx to avoid additional wildfire threats.

Here’s Saturday’s roundup of other fires around the state, from the Oregon Department of Forestry:

The lightning-caused 840-acre Jones Canyon Fire burning 20 miles SW of Ukiah is approximately 70 percent contained. BLM lands within the Jones Canyon Fire are protected by ODF through an agreement between the protection agencies. A local, Type 3 team is managing the fire. More info: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/fire_info.aspx

The lightning-caused 5,345-acre Buckskin Fire burning on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is 60 percent contained. The fire is being managed by the U.S. Forest Service. More info: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4286/

The lightning-caused 388-acre Bunker Hill Complex burning 30 miles SE of Oakridge on the Willamette National Forest is 75 percent contained. The fire is being managed by the U.S. Forest Service. More info: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/fire_info.aspx

The lightning-caused, 8,688-acre Leslie Gulch Fire burning 45 miles south of Vale on BLM lands is 90 percent contained. The fire is being managed by the BLM. More info: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/fire_info.aspx

The 0312 RN Fire is2,150 acres and 80 percent contained. It is burning on BLM lands five miles south of Clarno. Cause is under investigation. The fire is being managed by the BLM.