New Wildfire in Central Oregon: 1,600 acres burned thus far | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

New Wildfire in Central Oregon: 1,600 acres burned thus far

Hot temps and lightning in the desert is a bad combo.

Update: The Deadman Canyon Fire northeast of Madras has grown to 1,600 acres as of Tuesday night. ODOT is closing Hwy 293 to Antelope (from the Hwy 97/293 junction). All travelers headed to Antelope and beyond should use Hwy 218.

With over 800 lightning strikes in just 24 hours, it's surprising that the 400-acre wildfire just north south of Antelope, OR is the only one of significance.

Sparked by a lightning storm yesterday, the Deadman Canyon Fire, which started on private land before it reached BLM territory today, is currently burning 3.5 miles north of the Hwy 97/218 junction Hwy 97/293 junction (Initial reports were incorrect about the exact location of the fire).

Due to the rural nature of the fire, only one home and a small handful of buildings are under threat from the blaze. Fire crews from Prineville BLM are leading the extinguishing efforts and are receiving assistance from both Jefferson County Fire District #1 as well as local landowners. Three helicopters, one single air tanker, four engines, one dozer, two handcrews and two water tenders remain on the scene.

With so many lightning strikes, firefighters remain on watch for holdover blazes and have already contained several single-tree fires.

And with temps soaring and more storms in the forecast, fire officials are urging folks to be especially cautious with combustibles.

Be careful out there y'all.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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