Abandoned campfire spreads to woods

An abandoned campfire spread to become a 1/10th-acre wildfire on the McKenzie Highway Sunday afternoon, August 14.

The fire started at the base of the old Skyliners ski area close to the last big rig turnaround about eight miles west of Sisters, according to Dave Robertson, suppression foreman for the Sisters Ranger District.

“We had four engines, one tender and a five-man hand crew on the fire,” Robertson said.

Fire vehicle traffic caused temporary delays on the highway for travelers using the McKenzie Pass highway. Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies assisted with traffic control.

Crews will be checking the fire for the next several days as Central Oregon continues to be in extreme fire danger conditions.