Black Butte Ranch evacuated

Sunday, 3:30 p.m. -- Wind-driven spot fires on Black Butte Ranch during the afternoon of Sunday, July 28, forced the evacuation of a portion of the resort community 10 miles west of Sisters.

At 4:30 p.m.,the evacuation expanded from a partial to total evacuation of the Ranch.

Radio chatter indicates that one structure may be burning. One officer required oxygen for smoke inhalation.

Highway 20 has been closed. This will allow vehicles to exit the Ranch. Vehicles will only be allowed to turn right from Black Butte and head towards Bend.

The Red Cross will have emergency shelter set up at Skyview School at 18th and Cooley Road. They will be serving dinner at 6 p.m. Animals are anticipated, and care for dogs, cats and larger animals will be available.

There is also the possibility of using Redmond High School as a shelter if needed.

People would be diverted at Sisters Highway 126 junction if this becomes necessary.

The evacuation dashed the early hopes of firefighters that they might gain the upper hand today on the Cache Mountain Fire, which was ignited by lightning on Tuesday, July 23.

In the mid afternoon, sirens screamed through the town of Sisters as emergency vehicles headed toward Black Butte Ranch, Oregon's premier resort.

Winds, which were considered the critical factor in gaining a handle on the blaze, did not cooperate and continued to throw spot fires to the east of the main fire.The possibility remains that the fire could jump the highway and burn up the flank of the butte.

Air tankers and helicopters continue to support 14 ground crews battling the fire.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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