Camp Sherman wary but not threatened

Thursday, August 21, 10 a.m.

Large billowing smoke clouds rising high to the west can be seen from Camp Sherman this morning. Ash has coated much of the local area.

Several residents have voluntarily evacuated, hanging white towels from their entry signposts to alert rescue workers and firefighters that their home is vacant.

However, according to Christy Donham of Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch, while "trigger points" for evacuation are being established, Camp Sherman is not on a pre-evacuation notice.

"I would say right now Camp Sherman is not threatened," Donham said.

Normal activities continued despite the fire alert. Workers on new homes keeping pounding in nails, adjusting boards and pouring new concrete.

Late yesterday afternoon, around 5 p.m.., there was an emergency citizens' meeting at the Camp Sherman Community Hall.

There, potential evacuation plans were discussed with a group of about 150 residents, campers and visitors. Local residents were to be given an emergency notification telephone call for voluntary evacuation later that evening and as a test of the emergency warning system.

A later 911 call would be issued for immediate evacuation if necessary.

Overnight weather seemed to temporarily help protection of the Camp Sherman residential areas. Temperatures dropped to under 40 degrees and humidity rose. A weather front is due in today that may also be helpful to firefighters.

The fire appears to be about one to 1.5 miles from Road 12, the Jack Lake Road, located a few miles below Suttle Lake and about two miles west from Camp Sherman.

More fire fighting equipment has been seen today heading up Highway 20 towards the fire area.