Nash Fire update: Elk Lake pre-evacuation notices dropped

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has continued to coordinate with fire managers on the Nash Fire, which is part of the Horse Creek Complex. After discussion with the incident management team and the Deschutes National Forest, the Sheriff’s Office will drop all pre-evacuation notices around Elk Lake due to the Nash fire at 3 p.m. Monday.

This includes the following areas: Elk Lake Resort, Elk Lake CG, Point CG, Little Fawn CG, Mallard Marsh CG, Sunset View Day Use Area, Beach Day Use Area, and Quinn Meadows Horse Camp.

This does not affect any area closures implemented by the U.S. Forest Service. Please check the following links for more information on trail and area closures.

Deschutes National Forest Trail Closures:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd557599.pdf

Willamette National Forest Trail Closures:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029#ave

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to coordinate with the Forest Service and the incident management team assigned to the fire.

Cooler, wet weather is expected to reduce fire behavior on the 6,738-acre fire.

As a result, crews were pulling structure protection from the Elk Lake area on Monday and removing unused equipment along the Cascade Lakes Highway. They were also cleaning up brush and removing slash from the 300-foot-wide fuel break established in recent days.

Meanwhile, t he fire closure for the Milli Fire was reduced as of 7 a.m. Monday.

The Whychus Overlook and parking lot as well as the access trail are reopened.

The Whychus River Trail and all other sites within the Milli Closure Area remain closed.

Closed Trails and Sites are:

Camp Lake Trail #4074 Demaris Lake Trail #4074.1 Park Meadow Trail #4075 Metolius Windigo Trail #99 from the Graham Corral Horse Camp to the trail junction with Park Meadow Trail #4075 Green Lakes Trail #17 is closed from Park Meadow Trail #4075 to Lava Camp Lake at Hwy 242 Black Crater Trail #4058 Millican Crater Trail #4066 Scott Pass Trail #4068 North Matthieu Lake Trail #4062 Trout Creek Tie Trail #4067 Chush Falls Trail #4080 Pole Creek Trail #4072 Whychus Creek Trail Millian Crater Trailhead Scott Pass Trailhead Whispering Pines Campground Sisters Cow Camp Lava Camp Lake Campground For additional information, the public can contact the Sisters Ranger District at 541-549-7700.