Virtual community meeting set on Lionshead Fire

The fire team battling the Lionshead Fire to the northwest of Sisters will host a Virtual Community Meeting on the Lionshead Facebook Page at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The public is encouraged to to email questions to [email protected] You do not need to have a Facebook account to view the live meeting at www.facebook.com/lionsheadfire.

Heavy smoke from The Lionshead, Beachie Creek and Riverside Fires inundated Sisters Country on Friday as westerly winds moved over the crest of the Cascades. The heavy smoke kept temperatures in the low 70’s and relative humidity much higher than predicted in the mid-20s.

Forecasted upper level winds should break the smoke layer free Monday, followed later in the week by cooler temperatures and a possibility of light precipitation.

Fire growth was minimal yesterday, some areas experienced minimal torching and short-range spotting. Reduced fire behavior has given firefighters valuable time to make progress on assessing the western side of The Lionshead Fire and anchoring in the fire on the eastern portion. Firefighters on the eastern side of the crest of the Cascades on the Warm Springs Reservation were busy through the night mopping up and completing firing operations.

On both sides of the Cascades, scouting and preparation of identified control lines will continue. Heavy smoke and blocked road access into many of the areas continue to be challenges. Containment lines around areas of the Warm Springs Reservation will continue to be prepared today in preparation for a strategic firing operation that will improve the fire line. Scouting and contingency plans are also being put in to place northwest of Camp Sherman in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness and old fire scars throughout the landscape.