Good progress on Harney County blazes

Over 1,000 lightning strikes hit southeast Oregon’s Harney County during Sunday’s thunderstorms, sparking at least a dozen new fires over a wide area. Two groups of fires were being managed under one name — the Buzzard Complex.

A Level 1 evacuation alert was issued to residents along a 12-mile stretch of state Highway 78. That’s a basic notification of the wildfire and for residents to be ready should evacuation be necessary.

A Level 2 evacuation notice — urging residents to leave as soon as possible — was issued to homes in the Tree Top Ranch headquarters/Malheur Caves Area but lifted later and Highway 78 reopened. But all access roads to Warm Springs Reservoir were closed until further notice.

The Gumboot Fire, north of Riley near Dry Mountain and Miller Canyon, displayed intense burning activity, as did others with the pickup of afternoon winds. But by Tuesday morning, it was about 60 percent contained

Follow these and other Oregon wildfires at this InciWeb page: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/38/