New Lake County wildfire races across 700-plus acres SW of Paisley

Meanwhile, 393-acre Rosland Road Fire now 90% contained

(Update: Evening update; new photo)

PAISLEY, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new wildfire raced across more than 700 acres of private and Forest Service lands in Lake County on Tuesday, bringing several crews, air tankers and helicopters to the area, officials said.

The Ben Young Fire broke out about 11 miles south-southwest of the town of Paisley and was burning on the east side of the Chewaucan River, according to the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership advised on its Facebook page.

By evening, fire officials said the blaze had burned 700-plus acres and was burning to the south and east, with reported fire behavior of running, torching and spotting in the hot. windy weather

The area was under a red flag warning, with westerly winds to 25 mph Tuesday evening at Lake County Airport in Lakeview, but calmer winds and a chance of scattered showers thunderstorms predicted in Paisley, according to the National Weather Service.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Resources called in so far included four heavy air tankers, two helicopters, a single-engine air tanker, six engines and two 20-person Type 2 hand crews.

An ad hoc Type 3 management team was in place, with a Type 2 management team ordered up, to take command Wednesday evening, officials said.

Fire officials advised the public to be aware of firefighter safety and avoid increased fire traffic on Forest Service roads 33 and 31510.

Meanwhile, the Rosland Road Fire that burned nearly 400 acres east of La Pine over the weekend reached 90% containment Tuesday.

Officials warned that the fire danger level across the region is extreme due to hot, dry conditions and fuels. They urged people to use caution on forest and other lands.