Fire ignites in forest west of Sisters

The Link Fire sent up a plume of smoke over Metolius Meadows during the late afternoon on Saturday, July 5. photo by Bill Johnson, ImageSharp

A towering column of smoke rose into the sky late Saturday afternoon, July 5, as a fire ignited in the forest west of Sisters.

The Link Fire, measured at approximately 800 acres, burned on the Deschutes National Forest two miles south of Suttle Lake and five miles northwest of Black Butte Ranch.

Fire crews responded aggressively, with heavy attacks from the air by tankers and helicopters and bulldozers and ground crews on the fire lines. As of Monday, the fire was 50 percent contained.

A helicopter dips water from Suttle Lake. Photo by Conrad Weiler

Full containment is expected by 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, according to fire officials.

Firefighters made significant progress against the blaze on Monday, cutting multiple fire lines and burning out fuel to deny the blaze a chance to expand.

The fire was burning in mixed conifer and beetle-killed lodge pole pine. Firefighters chased down spot fires thrown out from the main body of the blaze.

There was a precautionary evacuation of approximately 200 campers at Camp Tamarack during the late afternoon on Saturday. Campgrounds in the Dark Lake area were closed. Suttle Lake campgrounds and the resort area remained open.

The fire was human-caused, but the specific cause was still under investigation at press time.

An air tanker moves in on the Link Fire. photo by Dick Quinn

The Blue Mountain Incident Management Team took over command of the firefighting effort on Sunday and staged out of Allingham Guard Station in Camp Sherman.

The fire was reported Saturday at 4:27 p.m. by the Greenridge Lookout.

Fire officials reminded the public that the conditions in the forest are tinder dry. All forest users are advised to be careful with fire.

Before going into the forest for recreation, call a local fire agency to find out if campfires are allowed, as well as other fire restrictions.