Central Oregon fires grow fast in hot, windy weather: Crazy Creek Fire doubles to 10,000 acres, new evacuations
(Update: Crazy Creek, Camp Creek fires double in size in less than a day)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Crazy Creek Fire on the Ochoco National Forest, five miles east of Big Summit Prairie, doubled in estimated size to 10,000 acres in less than a day Wednesday as hot, windy critical fire weather conditions caused many of Oregon’s bigger blazes to grow even larger, triggering or widening evacuations.
The Crazy Creek fire was burning south of Forest Service Road 30 and east of FSR 100, with zero containment. Crook County declared Level 3 GO NOW evacuations in the area of Big Summit Prairie east of the Grant County line. Wheeler County declared a Level 1 Be Ready evacuation level south of Highway 26, between Buck Point Road and Antone Lane, and Level 3 for a small area west of Buck Point Road to the Ochoco national Forest border.
See the interactive map here: https://arcg.is/Gfuir0
The Camp Creek Fire was southwest of Paulina also doubled in size in just hours and was estimated Wednesday night at 500 acres. Firefighters were holding the line along Camp Creek Road on the east side and dropped retardant along the west side.
The Crook County Sheriff's Office earlier issued a Level 2 (BE SET) evacuation alert Wednesday afternoon as strong winds pushed the Camp Creek Fire east along SE Camp Cree Road, six miles south of the Paulina Highway.
Deputies said area residents were advised of the Level 2 alert along from Camp Creek Road east to Paulina. They also advised, "Use caution traveling in the area due to smoke and resources."
See the latest Crook County evacuation maps and levels at this page.
Officials said in an earlier update it was moving north and so far had stayed on the west side of Camp Creek Road, about four miles south of Highway 380. Ground resources were supported by a very large air tanker, large air tankers, single engine air tankers and air attack.
Here's Wednesday's earlier update from Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch:
On Tuesday afternoon, firefighters from the Brothers-Hampton Rangeland Fire Protection Association, county and federal resources responded to the Camp Creek Fire burning 12 miles southwest of Paulina on private lands. The fire is estimated at 50 acres and remained in its footprint overnight. Firefighters are working on constructing line around the perimeter. The fire remains 0% contained.
The Durgan Fire, which started on private lands adjacent to the Ochoco National Forest about six miles northeast of Paulina, is still estimated at 3,000 acres, officials said Wednesday. All lines held overnight, and firefighters are working to secure lines, cool down hot spots and conduct mop-up operations.
Firefighters on scene include Post-Paulina Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) and federal resources. Federal resources are currently in unified command with the Crook County Emergency Management. The fire is now 65% contained.
Crook County sheriff's deputies said Monday, "According to incident command at the scene of the fire, the evacuation levels have changed. South of the forest boundary on Beaver Creek Road is now at a Level 2 evacuation status. Everything east of Big Summit Prairie to the county line and south to the forest boundary will remain at Level 3 evacuation."
The Crazy Creek Fire, burning on the Ochoco National Forest five miles east of Big Summit Prairie near Crazy Creek, is now estimated at 5,000 acres and is 0% contained. A Central Oregon Type 3 team took command of the fire Tuesday. The Type 3 team will provide future updates about this incident.
The Kitty Creek Fire burning about seven miles south of Mitchell has been remapped at 35 acres. On Tuesday, air tankers dropped retardant around the perimeter of the fire, slowing its growth. Firefighters on the ground have completed line around 40% of the perimeter and are continuing line construction Wednesday.
The Pulley Creek Fire, burning on the Ochoco National Forest about a mile southwest of Big Summit Prairie, is currently estimated at 11 acres and 0% contained. Firefighters have completed dozer line around the perimeter and continue to mop up and secure lines.
The Round Mountain and Wickiup Fires are burning about seven miles northwest of La Pine and just north of Wickiup Reservoir. A Central Oregon Type 3 Team is managing both incidents. Firefighters are continuing to mop up hots spots and secure the perimeters of both fires. The Wickiup Fire remains 168 acres and is now 70% contained. The Round Mountain Fire remains 108 acres and is now 25% contained.
On Monday the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office decreased evacuation notices around the Wickiup Fire to Level 1 (Be Ready). This includes the Haner Park area and the Deschutes National Forest between Forest Service Road 4262 and Forest Service Road 44, south of South Century Drive (FS 42) and Burgess Road (FS 43).
The Deschutes National Forest has issued area emergency closures for both the Wickiup Fire and the Round Mountain Fire. Bull Bend and Wyeth Campgrounds and Tenino Boat Launch are currently closed. North Twin Lake Campground remains closed and is being used to support firefighting operations.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
