The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Fire officials now estimate the Black Butte II fire at 400 acres. It is 10 percent contained, though firefighters have succeeded in putting line around 50 percent of the fire.

The fire is located in a topographical "bowl" which creates a variety of wind direction and velocity, hampering suppression efforts.

"We greatly appreciate Black Butte Ranch allowing us to utilize their ponds for helicopter water operations. This has contributed significantly in putting water on the fire in a cost effective manner," said District Ranger Bill Anthony.

Hand crews are working on completing hose lay on the south flank of the fire and have completed hose lay around the 42-acre spot fire. The dozer line on the south flank of the fire has been repositioned closer to the fire's edge and is tied in with handline that runs from the 700 road to the top of Black Butte. The dozer line is currently holding well and burnout operations are planned for this evening, weather permitting, fire officials reported.

Assigned resources on scene include four air tankers, 13 twenty-person hand crews (four hotshot crews, eight contract crews and one 20-person agency hand crew), five helicopters, four dozers, 10 engines, six water tenders and miscellaneous overhead for an approximate total of 250 personnel.

The cooling trend is predicted to continue through Thursday with high pressure expected to build through the weekend. Tonight is partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms and showers this evening.