Sisters anxiously eyes wildland fires

The Bald Peter Fire was clearly too close for comfort when viewed

from Green Ridge.

A lightning-caused fire on the Warm Springs Reservation reminded Camp Sherman and Sisters area residents of the ever present dangers of wildland blazes this week.

The Bald Peter Fire, which had grown to over 1,000 acres over the weekend, was raging a mere 12 miles or so northwest of Camp Sherman. Fortunately, the fire was burning away from the local area and there were no structures threatened.

However, the conflagration raged in timberland and, according to fire officials, threatened Spotted Owl habitat and water quality in the Metolius River Basin and the Jefferson Creek and Whitewater Creek drainages.

More than 200 firefighters from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry and Jefferson County waged an aggressive attack on the fire.

Their efforts were hindered by gusty winds and extremely rough terrain.

Numerous fires were started by lightning in the local area last week, as thunderstorms lashed the mountains.

According to Sisters Ranger District Fire Manager Mark Rapp, one fire on Black Crater could have become a major incident.

"We had a very hot lightning strike on the west side of Black Crater that started a 1/4-acre fire," Rapp said.

Trees were torched off and the fire grew quickly to an acre in size.

"But the rain came in right behind it and kind of dampened it down," Rapp said.

A fire crew smothered the blaze and smokejumpers camped on the site to make sure the fire did not revive.