New wildfire south of Bend contained at 26 acres
A new wildfire broke out south of Bend Saturday afternoon, but crews aided by air tankers contained it at 26 acres, on the eve of a major weather change that could bring much-welcome rain to the region, officials said Sunday.
Fire crews, engines and air tankers responded quickly to Incident 1174, which broke out near Boyd Cave late Saturday afternoon, officials said.
The Boyd Cave fire showed moderate fire behavior in timber and juniper. Six engines, two crews, five air tankers, a bulldozer and a water tender responded to the fire and by evening had the fire contained to 26 acres. Firefighters were continuing work to mop up and patrol the fire Sunday.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
El sewhere, the closure on the Milli Fire of the Whychus Overlook Trailhead and trail will be lifted at 7 a.m. Monday, officials said. All areas west of Forest Road 16 on the Sisters Ranger District will remain closed and all other closures for the fire will remain.
In the Mill Creek Wilderness northeast of Prineville, t he Desolation Fire experienced some growth Saturday and was reported to be at 3,428 acres.
All growth was within planned containment lines, with most of it from planned burnout operations being done along Forest Road 27 to contain the fire. There was also some growth on the north end of the fire, toward Whistler Point.
Officials said t he public will see smoke coming from the Desolation Fire Sunday as burnout operations on the fire continue. A temporary closure order remains in effect for all of the Mill Creek Wilderness and national fores lands north of the wilderness, up to and including Forest Service roads 27, 2730 and 2745.
Central Oregon is expected to see wetting rain beginning Sunday evening and through Monday. Officials said the rain should help clear smoke from the air and reduce fire activity on the larger fires in the area, including Milli, Desolation and Nash.
An open fire ban remains in effect for all federal lands in Central Oregon.
