Sisters gets message out: ‘Open for business’

With hundreds of firefighters pouring into Central Oregon, the city of Sisters is feeling the impact. Many say it’s business as usual, the shops are open and the streets are swarming with activity.

Smoke from the Pole Creek Fire for the last few mornings has been settling in, but by mid-morning it’s lifted and the skies are clear.

“We are very grateful to the firefighters,” Melissa Ward, the owner of the Sisters Bakery, said Wednesday. “They do a super job up there its just not easy.”

At the bakery, they say they have been busy serving firefighters and tourists alike since the fire began Sunday, about seven miles southwest of town.

Area businesses say they want everyone to know they are open for business and this fire isn’t slowing them down.

“Today has been busy also,” said Ward, “We have not shut down at all. It’s not been like other fires, where the road has been closed and we’ve packed up all the doughnuts at the end of the day and sent them up to the fire camp. This has been just fine for us.”

With more than 500 firefighters at camp at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds just outside town, fire officials say there will be added traffic along Highway 20. They’re asking you to use caution until the fire is brought under control.