The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The team fighting the Lionshead Fire northwest of Sisters reported Tuesday morning that winds will be light and dense smoke will not dissipate to the degree expected. Temperatures will be in the 70s with slightly higher humidity than yesterday. Smoke in the Sisters area is from the Lionshead Fire but also from other fires burning across the region.

Firefighting efforts have been challenged both by lack of air support and unusually active fire behavior overnight. Active fire behavior is anticipated today, especially at higher elevations. There will also be a change in wind direction, from southwest winds yesterday to light east winds early today and north and northwest winds later in the afternoon. Some precipitation is possible Thursday.

Aviation assets were still unable to fly yesterday and flights will likely not be possible today because of poor visibility. The northeast portion of the fire on the Warm Springs Reservation continues to experience the most active fire growth. Active fire behavior was seen just north of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness boundary to the south.

Fire managers continue to coordinate closely with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs on firefighting efforts. On the Warm Springs Reservation, crews plan to conduct strategic firing operations working from roads and dozer lines for containment. To the south of the fire, crews will scout for containment options west of the lava beds in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, taking advantage of features such as trails and old fire scars. Most of the eastern perimeter of the fire will be in patrol status today, meaning that mop-up there has been successful but crews will maintain watch to detect and suppress any spot fires.