Fire Alert

Crews reach 65% containment on week-old, 5,176-acre Elk Lane Fire west of Madras

Elk Lane Fire map 8-11 — C.O. Fire Management Service

today at 12:30 PM

Published August 9, 2024 11:27 AM

(Update: Sunday fire report, 65% containment)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- One week after lightning ignited the Elk Lane Fire west of Madras, prompting evacuations and a fierce battle amid heat and shifting winds, the blaze is about two-thirds contained by firefighters and residents are back home.

Here's Sunday's fire update:

Resources: 5 hand crews | 9 engines | 1 bulldozers | 4 water tenders | 1 skidgen

THIS WILL BE THE LAST DAILY UPDATE FOR THE ELK LANE FIRE.

FOR INFORMATION ON THIS AND OTHER INCIDENTS IN CENTRAL OREGON, PLEASE GO TO www.centraloregonfire.org.

Highlight: Firefighters continued to increase containment and mop-up. Forecasted weather shows cooling temperatures (low-mid 80s), but dry conditions next week. The fire is now 65% contained.

Overview: The Elk Lane Fire is approximately 5,176 acres in size. It was started by a lightning strike on the evening of August 4^th. The fire is being managed by the Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team (CO Type 3 Team).

Fire Activity: Fire activity is minimal throughout the fire. The approximate footprint of the burned area is east of the Deschutes River from Lake Simtustus to Belmont Lane, north of Belmont Lane to SW Elbe Drive and the Dry Canyon Area, south of Willow Creek, and west of NW Clackamas Drive. Suppression efforts today will continue to focus on mopping-up and securing lines. The CO Type 3 Team continues to manage the fire with over 100 personnel. They will be transitioning management of the fire to a Type 4 Incident Management Team, tomorrow, Monday, August 12^th.

Evacuations: All evacuation levels in and around the Elk Lane Fire are below Level 3. For the most up to date evacuation information in Jefferson County, visit https://tinyurl.com/mte4e75m or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff/.

Weather: Hot temperatures (low 90s), low relative humidity, and light winds are forecast for today. Cooler daytime temperatures (low-mid 80s) are forecasted starting tomorrow through next week. The change in weather will help firefighters completing mop-up operations.

Importance of Fire Prevention/Fire Restrictions: All public lands in Central Oregon, are in Public Use (Fire) Restrictions. All open flames, including woodstoves and charcoal briquette fires are prohibited. In times of high fire danger, it is crucial for everyone to follow fire prevention measures to avoid additional strain on overburdened resources. The public’s cooperation in adhering to fire bans and restrictions is vital to prevent new fires from starting and to help our firefighters focus on containing the existing fires.

Fire Information: The fire information line (458-206-1745) will be shutting down today at noon. Residents are encouraged to call the Jefferson County non-emergency dispatch number for any questions related to evacuations and/or the status of the fire after noon today. This number is 541-384-2080.

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at www.centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.

*Last updated map; Level 3 evacuation zones were reduced and Red Cross shelter has closed.

Earlier story:

"That means at 40% the fires edge is considered to be cold," Central Oregon Fire Management Public Information Officer Jeff Kitchens said Friday. "A cold edge, a mopped-up edge means that within about 100 feet of the edge, we are not seeing smoke or dealing with any kind of heat that could jump the line and start a fire."

Essentially, containment means there is no longer any concern of spread.

"Crews are moving along the entire line of the fire and checking it," Kitchens said. "Are there hot spots, is there smoke? They're spraying water and digging up the ground and making sure things are not going to spark or spread."

For 48 hours, the fire has been held at a distance of 3 1/2 miles from the Madras city limits.

"We are really feeling good about where this fire is, and the fact that it will not move again for the city, while we have crew working to mop up and make sure the line is cold," Kitchens said.

Starting from a lighting strike last Sunday, the fire brought out over 200 local, state and federal personnel.

"Right now we have four hand crews, we've got 25 engines. There's three bulldozers, eight water tenders and a number of other resources that are supporting this," Kitchens said.

Firefighters will remain at work and on duty west of Madras until managers deem it safe to pull back resources, many of whom are likely to head to the lines of other wildfires burning in the state and region.

"What's really important for folks to know in an instance like this we are not just leaving," Kitchens said. "We are not just going to walking away when the smoke is not there. We will help keep an eye on it, until we know everyone here is going to be safe.,"

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office have now lowered evacuation levels, and they have removed all Level 3 evacuations, so folks can return home.

Here's the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Friday announcement:

"Every level has changed and been lowered in some way! Please note that fire personnel is still here and they remain in the area. Make sure you drive back safely and keep an out for all of them.

*There are no longer any areas in a level three evacuation level.

*Everyone is free to return home.

*Last night's level three area is now a two.

*Lake Simtustus is a level zero

*Elk Dr. is LOCALS ONLY. There will be roadblocks here, only those who reside on Elk Dr. may drive through. Fire Personnel are heavily in the area so please move forward with caution.

A HUGE thank you to Oregon Stage Fire Marshall Red Team and the Central Oregon Type 3 Team for everything they have done to help us get Jefferson County residents back in their homes while protecting our community. We are grateful to you for all you've done!

The map has the latest breakdown.

https://fr911orgis.maps.arcgis.com/.../weba.../index.html...