Evacuation order lifted

5 p.m. Tuesday - As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 1, Crossroads and Edgington Road residents will be allowed to return to their homes, fire officials announced.

Proof of residency will be required by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

Approximately 475 residents were evacuated on Thursday, July 27 when winds pushed the Black Crater Fire closer to the communities.

The Black Crater fire near Sisters is currently 9,200 acres.

"This is still an active fire," said Sisters District Ranger, Bill Anthony. "Since snags in this area present a real danger, forest closures remain in effect."

Deschutes County Sheriff's Department Captain Tim Edwards reports that "residents should remain prepared to evacuate if conditions should unexpectedly change."

Area residents are being asked to evaluate their homes and yards and implement fire safe practices where possible.

For more information on defensible space go to http://www.firewise.org or http://www.oregon.gov/ODF.

Community meetings will continue at 7:30 p.m. each evening at the Sisters High School. The morning meetings will no longer be held.

For updated Black Crater Fire information visit http://www.nuggetnews.com, tune to Sisters High School radio KZSO 106.5 FM, log on to http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon and click on Black Crater Fire, or call the Fire Information Desk at 549-3211 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.