Officials provide update on Brewer, Green Mountain, and Crosswhite West Fires
(Update: adding information from officials provided on July 26th)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Firefighters are working to contain the Brewer, Green Mountain, and Crosswhite West fires today as a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Strong winds and unstable atmospheric conditions are expected to amplify fire behavior.
The Brewer and Crosswhite fires are forecasted to merge later today. Evacuation levels 1, 2, and 3 are currently in effect in Crook and Wheeler Counties due to the active fires.
The Red Flag Warning, reissued by the Incident Meteorologist, indicates challenging weather for suppression efforts. Crews continue to battle the three active fires while preparing for heightened activity due to warm temperatures and strong winds.
The anticipated merger of the Brewer and Crosswhite fires underscores the dynamic and critical nature of the current fire situation.
Firefighters on the Brewer Fire focused overnight on strengthening and holding established control lines. Crews successfully held the heel of the fire on the northwest corner and that portion has transitioned to patrol status. With that area secure, fire managers shifted critical resources to other portions of the fire.
On the west side of the Brewer Fire, crews spent the night gridding firelines and extinguishing hotspots near containment lines. These lines held through the night, allowing firefighters to continue strengthening and tying together control features today.
Operations today will focus on improving fireline near Grizzly Road and Lofton Creek Road while continuing structure protection efforts around homes and along McKay Creek Road. Fire managers are coordinating closely with the Crook County Sheriff's Office to ensure contingency plans remain in place for the Ochoco West area.
Current forecasts indicate northwest winds today and officials do not anticipate direct impacts to Ochoco West given current firelines and fire behavior. Firefighters remain prepared should conditions change.
On the eastern flank of the Brewer Fire, active fire behavior yesterday challenged suppression efforts and pushed against established lines. Additional resources were assigned to reassess and establish new control lines ahead of today's forecasted winds.
The Green Mountain Fire presented significant challenges during its first full operational period due to steep terrain and limited access. Dozers continue constructing access routes to support operations. Crews are scouting and developing additional holding line opportunities in the remote, roadless terrain where the fire is burning.
The Crosswhite West Fire, part of the Rowe Creek Complex, continues to burn within the Mill Creek Wilderness. It remains a priority as it moves toward Highway 26. Fire managers are shifting resources to the southern flank of the fire to prepare and strengthen control lines.
During the last 24 hours, crews completed extensive structure preparation and installed water delivery systems around buildings at the Ochoco Christian Conference Center and throughout the Marks Creek neighborhood. Firefighters will maintain an active presence in the area today as protection efforts continue.
Fire managers are maintaining close coordination with NW Team 2 and OSFM teams on the Rowe Creek Complex as the situation progresses. Fire officials expect fire activity to affect traffic along Highway 26 east of Prineville. They are coordinating closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Motorists traveling along Highway 26 and nearby roadways should remain alert for firefighting equipment and personnel working in the area. Travelers are encouraged to monitor current road conditions through ODOT's TripCheck resources and drive cautiously around fire traffic.
County sheriff's offices issue evacuation orders. The most current evacuation information is available at the Facebook pages for Crook County, Jefferson County and Wheeler County Sheriff's Offices.
Smoke from the Brewer Fire and Rowe Creek Complex-West Zone may be visible in Prineville and surrounding areas. This can reduce visibility and impact air quality in nearby communities. Smoke conditions can change throughout the day as winds shift and individuals sensitive to smoke should take appropriate precautions. Current air quality information and smoke forecasts are available online.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have issued closures for lands in and near the fires. Information on these closures is available on their respective websites.
Fire managers remind the public that weather conditions can change rapidly during Red Flag events. Firefighters remain positioned across the incident to respond quickly and continue protecting communities, infrastructure and natural resources.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place for the fire area daily until further notice. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal and compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters, interfering with firefighting efforts. All illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.
Earlier Story -- July 25 -- PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Red-Flag conditions and extreme fire behavior continued to challenge firefighters across the Brewer, Green Mountain and Crosswhite West fires.
The warning signals extreme fire behavior, strong winds, warm temperatures and unstable weather conditions, posing ongoing challenges for suppression efforts.
Wind gusts of 30 miles per hour fueled extreme fire behavior on the Brewer, Green Mountain and Crosswhite West fires. An atmospheric inversion lifted around 11 a.m. further igniting fires and creating multiple large, visible smoke columns.
ODF Complex Incident Management Team 3 took command of the Green Mountain Fire. Wildland firefighting resources, including air assets, were surged to the area to open access for suppression efforts.
Firefighters yesterday worked to secure lines on the southwest perimeter of the Brewer Fire. Lines along the entire west side of the Brewer Fire held and significant progress was made in further securing lines, particularly along Lofton Road. Wildland and structural resources were heavily engaged on the southeast perimeter, where they built and held direct lines and created indirect lines in the McKay Creek area.
Wildland resources battled spot fires south of Trout Creek on the Crosswhite West Fire. Crews also worked on indirect lines on the northwest perimeter and along the south side of the Mill Creek Wilderness.
Crews will strengthen and hold control lines on the west side of the Brewer Fire tonight. Mop-up operations will begin where possible, strengthening control lines and tightening lines in McKay Creek around structures. OSFM structural resources will focus on mop-up, full structure preparation, tactical patrol and assisting wildland resources along McKay Road and Lofton Creek Road.
In the Marks Creek neighborhood along Highway 26, another task force is scouting and preparing the area. In total, 11 task forces are working day, night and swing shifts to protect homes in the fire areas.
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the fire area 24 hours a day until further notice. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal and compromises the safety of pilots and firefighters. Such actions interfere with firefighting efforts and all illegal drone use will be reported to law enforcement.
