Link Fire 60 percent contained

Friday, July 11, 5 p.m.

Heavy aerial attacks by retardent-dropping planes and water-dropping helicopters helped firefighters battle the stubborn Link Fire on Friday, July 11.

As of 5 p.m., crews were working all around the perimeter of the fire and the blaze was 60 percent contained, according to Fire Information Officer Jimmy Turner.

Firefighters succeeded in creating burnouts to rob the fire of fuel and burnout operations were to continue into the night.

Heavy helicopters dropped water on the east edge of the fire nearest Black Butte Ranch. Tankers dropped retardent to shore up lines on the east and west flanks of the blaze.

"Thus far — and I'm knocking wood here — it has not jumped the line," Turner said.

The fire had grown to 3,119 acres and at its closest point was 3-1/2 miles from Black Butte Ranch. The fire's spread continues to be mostly to the south and slightly southeast.

Although temperatures soared into the 90s, winds remained relatively light.

"The wind has not been bad here," Turner said. "We have not got much wind."

BBR remained in Phase II of its emergency plan, with fire and law enforcement personnel on a heightened state of alert. There has been no evacuation.

Police and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue units are prepared to evacuate the Ranch if the fire crosses a demarcation line two miles to the west of the Ranch.