Evacuation levels lowered for residents

While Sisters Country continued to live under a pall of smoke over Labor Day Weekend, some residents got a welcome piece of fire-related news. Level 2 evacuation notices were lowered to Level 1 Sunday afternoon, affecting the subdivisions of Crossroads, Edgington/Remunda, Wildwing, Peterson Burn Road area, and along both sides of Three Creek Lake Road south of the Brooks Scanlon Logging Road (FS 4606).

All areas between Highway 20 and Highway 242 west of the city of Sisters, which includes the subdivision of Tollgate and Black Butte Ranch, remain under Level 1 notice. This area does not include the city of Sisters.

Level 1 means that residents should be aware of fire conditions in their area and be prepared for evacuation should conditions deteriorate.

While it's hard to tell from Sisters, firefighters have made progress on the 22,527-acre Milli Fire, which is now 60 percent contained. In fact, much of the smoke inundating Sisters has been from other fires; there are dozens burning across hundreds of square miles of the Pacific Northwest.

The east, southeast, and south flanks of the fire are in patrol status with firefighters mopping up any detected heat to further secure containment lines. Secondary containment lines outside the perimeter are in the repair process. Crews, dozers, excavators and wood chippers are working to return unused containment and dozer lines to a more natural state.

Unneeded equipment is being back-hauled to the incident command post and to assist on the Nash Fire.

The southwest flank of the fire backed down into the Pole Creek burn.

Several engines and firefighters have been working along the west flank and in the Lava Camp area to mop up hot spots and secure the infrastructure of the campground. Only one picnic table was burned. The fire has been backing down to Highway 242 over the past several days and on Sunday night crossed the highway in several locations into the lava fields. Firefighters mopped up those areas.

Cleanup is underway along Highway 242 removing logs, rocks, and debris, however the road will remain closed as additional work will be required to remove hazards. It will be closed until Oregon Department of Transportation has assessed the condition of the road and can ensure it is safe for travel.

There is a 30 to 40 percent chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms mid-week.