Firefighters contain pair of wildfires

Two wildfires that broke out on Sunday a few miles northeast of Sisters were contained by Monday morning. The cool night temperatures and calming winds helped firefighters gain the upper hand on the blazes off of Wilt Road.

"The (Wilt) Fire was just a little over 100 acres (as of noon on Monday), and they have it mostly contained," said Captain Gary Lovegren of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District (RFPD). The Alder Springs fire was contained at 81 acres.

The fire initially threatened some structures but shifted and began moving to the northeast away from homes. One cabin owned by Bruce Atchinson of Portland was endangered when a spot fire burned within 60 feet of the structure; however, the fire was safely extinguished.

No evacuation of homes were deemed necessary by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

"The only people that are being asked to leave are the campers that are out in the woods at various disbursed camp sites," said Captain Wheeler of the Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD.

Although no homes along Wilt Road were under immediate threat, the fire district took no chances.

"We have an engine from Cloverdale and an engine from Redmond that are doing structure protection on the houses that are the closest. They are anywhere from a quarter mile or more from the fire," said Captain Wheeler.

The Wilt Road fire was being staffed on Monday by three hand crews, including the Winema Interagency Hotshots, seven engines, a dozer, water tenders and miscellaneous overhead. This fire is contained by a dozer line although there is still some risk of a spot fire.

"There is a spot fire that they saw last night, and they are trying to find it. There are some crews out on that," said Captain Lovegren.

The Adler Springs fire was being staffed on Monday by two hand crews, three engines and miscellaneous overhead personnel.

Firefighters continued mopping up both wildfires throughout the day.

"Weather conditions are holding good, so it looks good," said Captain Lovegren.

The cause of both wildfires remains under investigation, although the unofficial report is that both were of human origin, perhaps from an escaped camp fire.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the 80s this week and vegetation in Central Oregon is dry; the potential for wildfires is still a concern to authorities.