Link Fire moving southeast

Friday, July 11, 4 p.m.

The Link Fire west of Sisters continued to spread toward the southeast on Friday, July 11, creeping within 3-1/2 miles of Black Butte Ranch.

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.

Fire Information Officer Janet Schlosser said that aerial tankers were dropping retardent on the west flank of the fire to strengthen containment lines in that area, which has been well secured with fire lines.

She said that fire commanders remained confident of their ability to keep the fire away from the Ranch.

More than 800 personnel were working on the fire, which started on Saturday, July 5. The fire is reportedly human caused.

No containment date has been set.