The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

West to northwest winds are expected on the Lionshead Fire to the northwest of Sisters today, blowing 6-10 mph with gust up to 15 mph. The easterly transport winds are carrying the smoke into Sisters Country, not only from The Lionshead Fire but also from The Beachie Creek and Riverside Fires.

Air quality is hazardous.

The Lionshead fire is now estimated at 136,265 acres, with 5 percent containment. It is only one of many massive fires burning across Oregon.

The fire crossed the Cascade Crest and burned into the Detroit area along Highway 22 early this week. West of the Cascades, the fire continues to grow, challenging firefighters with complex terrain and difficult access.

According to fire officials, crews working the eastern side of the Lionshead Fire located on the Warm Springs Reservation and northwest of the Metolius Basin and Camp Sherman continued to make great progress yesterday, widening containment lines with strategic firing operations. Securing the eastern edges of the fire is critical in long-term containment of the fire with the changing of the wind pattern to an easterly flow.

Air resources are available to help the firefighters on the ground but will be dependent on visibility due to smoke.

Local residents are advised monitor the local area sheriff’s department websites and Facebook for updates. (Deschutes, Jefferson, Wasco, Linn, and Marion counties). The Oregon Office of Emergency Management has created an interactive database to help provide the most up to date information on evacuation statewide. https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emops/Pages/RAPTOR.aspx .

For public and firefighter safety, roads and trails on the southwest portion of the Warm Springs Reservation near the fires are closed to the public. Forest closures are in place for Deschutes, Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests.