Lightning sparks fires west of Sisters

Firefighters report eight new fire starts from lightning in the Sisters area. Most fires are out, but the public should be aware of two fires burning tonight.

One fire is burning above Highway 20 near Santiam Pass and is very visible. Approximately 20 people are working on the fire, including two hand crews and six rappellers. Firefighters expect to have the fire, burning in heavy brush within an old fire scar from the 2003 B & B fire, contained this evening.

The other fire (#341) also is burning in a fire scar from the B & B fire in the Brush Creek in the Metolius area. The fire is burning around large previously burnt snags and is unsafe for crews to take direct action due to the risk of falling trees and limbs. Given the hazardous conditions, crews will use indirect firefighting strategies on the fire.

This evening crews are working to develop a containment strategy using indirect actions, primarily from roads. A Type 3 Team will take over management of the fire tomorrow morning due to the hazardous firefighting conditions.

Over the next couple days abundant lightning with little moisture is expected making the potential for additional fire starts very high.