Winds expected to test fire lines

Winds are expected to test the fire lines that crews, assisted by retardant drops from air tankers helicopter water drops, have built on the Grandview Fire burning nine miles northeast of Sisters.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for westerly winds 10-20 mph (gusts to 25 mph) coupled with low relative humidity on Wednesday and Thursday. The Oregon Department of Forestry team managing the fire say the winds will challenge efforts to keep the fire within established control lines. The fire is estimated at 10 percent containment.

A virtual Facebook live meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 14. Link here.

Firefighters continued to make good progress on the blaze on Tuesday, holding and securing lines around the 5,971-acre fire area.

Heavy air tankers dropping retardant assisted crews constructing fire line on the southeast portion of the fire while structure protection units led by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office continued point protection efforts. This work will tie into existing dozer line on the northeast section of the fire where firefighters are holding the line and beginning to mop up the perimeter to achieve additional containment.

The southwest portion of the fire held within existing fire lines on Tuesday, and crews were able to begin securing fire lines and mopping up. The northwest portion of the fire saw some increased activity in the afternoon, but crews and dozers constructed fire line, assisted by helicopters cooling hot spots.

Evacuation notices:

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