Fire crews pounding Link blaze

The Link Fire as of midnight Saturday, July 5. All fire boundaries are approximate. Map provided by U.S.F.S.

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Air tankers, bulldozers and ground crews launched a full-scale assault on the Link Fire west of Sisters on Sunday, July 6, as the Blue Mountain Incident Management Team took command of the fight.

The fire is human-caused, but the specific source of ignition remains under investigation.

The Link Fire, measured at between 300 and 600 acres, was burning on the Deschutes National Forest some two miles south of Suttle Lake and five miles northwest of Black Butte Ranch.

The fire is burning in mixed conifer and beetle-killed lodge pole pine. Firefighters battled spot fires thrown out in several directions from the main body of the blaze.

The fire was within approximately 3/4 mile of Camp Tamarack, where approximately 200 campers were evacuated on Saturday. Structure protection units from Black Butte Ranch and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District were on hand to protect the camp.

No other campgrounds or facilities were evacuated, but Forest Service personnel drove to dispersed campsites throughout the Cache Lake basin to warn campers about the situation, according to Forest Service Information Officer Cindy Glick.

Air tankers, a helicopter, numerous fire engines and bulldozers and five 20-person crews were attacking the fire on Sunday afternoon.

Fire officials said that Highway 20 remained open, but drivers were advised to drive with caution, reducing speed. Drivers were warned not to stop on the highway to take pictures of the fire.

The Link Fire was reported Saturday, July 5, at 4:27 p.m. by the Greenridge Lookout.