Smoky conditions persist in Sisters

Air quality remains at unhealthy smoke levels Tuesday morning, August 29. Residents are advised to drink extra water during heavy smoke conditions both to stay hydrated and to keep the throat and breathing passages moist.

Higher winds out of the west will likely bring some relief from smoke during the afternoon hours and into Wednesday.

Heavy smoke stalled planned aerial ignitions for burnout operations on the Milli Fire yesterday. The helicopter conducting the operation could not fly safely at low altitude in the heavy smoke.

Aerial infrared monitoring of the fire perimeter showed a three-acre spot fire on the northwest corner of the fire on the north side of the lava bed today. Crews were able to stop progress on the spot and are currently monitoring the area to insure there are no other spot fires.

The west side of the fire continued to be active through the day.  The hotter and drier weather continues to allow the fire to burn more actively than it has for the last few days.

The east side of the fire is no longer showing major heat on the infrared maps, and the area is in the beginning stages of rehab. Crews continue to remove fuels and use chippers to disperse the fuels that were cut and moved to create fire line to stop the fires spread. Dozer lines will have dirt and fuels moved back on to them to restore them to a more natural state. Rehab of the fire will continue in areas where the fire is considered contained.

Residents in Black Butte Ranch and surrounding areas can expect ash fallout and heavy smoke conditions into today.