Firefighters hard at work on local fire starts

Firefighters worked through the night on the Monty and Bean Creek Fires on the Sisters Ranger District, burning east of Monty Campground, which lies on the Lower Metolius River above Lake Billy Chinook. They are looking to get ahead of forecasted winds this afternoon.

The Monty Fire is now estimated to be 7-8 acres and Bean Creek is estimated at 35 acres.

The Monty Fire is staffed with a Type 3 Incident Commander, three engines, a dozer and a water tender. Fire behavior was moderate overnight but firefighters will be looking for opportunities to construct containment line today with the assistance of a helicopter cooling hot spots. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 1 evacuation notice (Get Ready) for houses on Montgomery Shores on the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook. The public is asked to stay out of the area with fire traffic and local residents only past Perry South Campground.

The Bean Creek Fire, approximately one mile west of the Monty Fire, is staffed with two engines and a dozer, but access in the area remains a challenge due to steep, rugged terrain. Forecasted gusty winds out of the west could challenge firefighting efforts on both fires this afternoon. According to Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch, crews are working to get every advantage they can in the morning and early afternoon to prepare for the 20 to 25 mph gusts that could increase fire behavior this afternoon.