McKay Butte Fire now 80% contained
(Update: Fire now 80 percent contained)
The 170-acre McKay Butte Fire on the Deschutes National Forest east of La Pine reached 80 percent containment Thursday.
The Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team will transfer command back to the home unit at the start of Friday’s operational shift, officials said.
The fire that broke out Sunday afternoon had been estimated to cover 190 acres as of Monday morning but was reduced by 20 acres later.
Fire personnel will continue mop-up operations to ensure the fire stays within its existing containment lines. A total of 130 personnel are currently assigned to the incident, representing federal, state, county, municipal and private contracting resources.
A Level 1 (BE READY) evacuation notice imposed on Sunday was lifted at 11 a.m. Tuesday for the McKay Crossing, Ogden and Prairie campgrounds.
Road closures for Forest Service Road 9736 north of Paulina Creek and Road 9735 remain in place and can be expected to continue through the weekend and likely into next week, officials said. There are no trail closures associated with the fire at this time.
The fire, south of Forest Road 9735, was reported by Lava Butte Lookout at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The fire’s cause is still under investigation.
The public is reminded to be careful with any ignitions on public lands. Central Oregon recently moved to HIGH fire danger, meaning fuels are very receptive to ignitions. If you are recreating on public lands, remember to remain diligent about ensuring all fires are ‘dead out’ and cold to the touch, all spark arrestors are properly installed, and trailer chains are secured.
For Central Oregon Fire information, text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive text alerts.
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Earlier info:
The McKay Butte Fire was spotted around 3 p.m. Sunday by the Lava Butte Lookout, burning south of Forest Service Road 9735, east of Highway 97 and La Pine, Central Oregon fire officials said on their Twitter page.
A heavy air tanker, two single-engine air tankers (SEAT planes) and a Type 3 helicopter responded to the blaze, along with several engine crews and bulldozers.
