Focus on active western end of Milli Fire

Firefighters are concentrating efforts on the active western edge of the 11,236-acre Milli Fire.

Fire officials report that the fire was active yesterday as it burned in the Three Sisters Wilderness south of Highway 242. The western edge of the fire was active on the north side of Black Crater and continued backing downslope on both flanks in the areas of Lava Lake Camp and North Matthieu Lake.

Fire managers report that they are doing advance planning and closely looking at the potential for fire growth originating from the active western flank of the fire. They recognize that this fire, pushed by the prevailing wind pattern, has the potential of moving north out of the wilderness and then east toward populated areas.

Fire crews are actively engaging in operations to contain the fire in this area thereby allowing residents to return to their homes.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, in consultation with its partners on the Millli Fire, reports that they are continually evaluating the need for possible changes to evacuation notices.

The area between Highway 242 and Highway 20 west of Cold Springs Road, including Black Butte Ranch, is now on Level 1 (be ready) evacuation notice; all other areas remain at the same level of evacuation notice, including the evacuated areas of Crossroads, Edgington Road and Forest Road 16.

"Every effort is being made to return residents to their homes but this cannot be done until the safety of the public can be assured," they report.

Fire behavior is expected to increase today as temperature rise and humidity lowers. Aircraft are available to assist firefighters to slow the fire's growth.

A public meeting is set for tonight at 6 p.m. at Sisters High School, where fire personnel and other agency representatives are expected to provide updates on fire conditions and evacuation status.