‘Feeling good’: Level 3 evacuations dropped on Elk Lane Fire west of Madras, so all can return home; fire 40% contained

(Update: adding video, comment from Central Oregon Fire Management)

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The 5-day-old Elk Lane Fire, which has burned over 5,100 acres west of Madras, is now 40% contained, officials said Friday as all Level 3 evacuations were dropped, so evacuees could return home - a welcome sign of progress, with more work to do.

"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 willl 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...

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Here's the Friday morning update on the fire:

Acres: 5,176 acres | Start Date: August 4, 2024 | Cause: Lightning | Fuels: Timber, Brush, Tall Grass | Containment: 40% | Resources: 206

Highlight: Firefighters continue to hold fire within the existing footprint, and it remains 3.5 miles from Madras city limits.  Weather forecasts are for hot and dry conditions through the weekend.  However, given the current condition of the fire, Firefighters will continue to make progress on control and mop-up efforts.  The fire is now 40% contained. 

Overview:  The Elk Lane Fire is approximately 5,176 acres in size (the reduction is due to more accurate mapping).  It was started by a lightning strike on the evening of August 4^th.   The fire is being managed under unified command by a Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team (CO Type 3 Team) and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Incident Management Team.  Supporting OSFM are two structural task forces. 

Fire Activity:  Fire activity continued to moderate on Thursday.  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 securing existing lines and mopping-up.  The great work of fire personnel has decreased threats to structures, resulting in the lowering of some evacuation levels and increased containment of the fire.  As a result, today will be the last full operational period for OSFM.  The CO Type 3 Team will continue to manage the fire with over 100 personnel.

Evacuations:  Areas south of Belmont Lane continued to see reductions in evacuation levels yesterday.  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/.  The Madras High School is a temporary evacuation site, and the Red Cross is on scene.  Evacuated animals can be taken to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

Weather: Hot temperatures (low 90s), low relative humidity, and light winds are forecasted to continue through the rest of the week and into the weekend.  Cooler daytime temperatures (low-mid 80s) are forecasted early next week, which will help firefighters working to improve lines and complete 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 public is encouraged to call (458) 206-1745, for updates or reports from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M

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.