Firefighters’ work passes test of windy afternoon

As expected, a stiff west wind that pushed on the east flank of the Grandview Fire northeast of Sisters Wednesday afternoon and evening. Their work of several days passed the test.

The team fighting the blaze reported that, despite gusty winds and continued hot and dry conditions, there was minimal growth on the fire. A concerted effort on securing the perimeter has allowed crews to focus on holding and improving containment lines around the majority of the fire. With aggressive firefighting efforts on the ground supported by aerial resources, no structures have been lost on the Grandview Fire.

Helicopters assisted crews on Wednesday, cooling hot spots near the perimeter. Where containment lines have been secured, firefighters have been able to begin mopping up the perimeter to ensure hot spots are extinguished and sparks or hot embers won’t escape containment lines to create spot fires.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service and remains in effect through Thursday. Predicted low relative humidity and winds between 10-20 mph (gusts to 25mph) out of the northwest will continue to challenge containment lines on the fire’s eastern and southeastern edges. Crews will continue to build and strengthen containment lines and burnout fuels adjacent to lines when conditions allow.