Friday, 8:30 a.m. UPDATE:  Fire crews expect to remain on scene through today, to ensure there are no flare ups. Drivers are urged to use caution as there will still be some large firefighting equipment moving around the scene.

 

Road closures and pre-evacuation notices have been lifted.

 

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BEND, OR -- Bend fire crews are getting the upper hand on a brush fire that is burning near Shevlin Park. A hiker reported the fire by calling 911 at about 1:30 Thursday afternoon. It started at one tenth of an acre about a quarter-mile downstream of Aspen Hall, and grew to ten acres within an hour or so. 

 

Click HERE to view the fire area and evacuation notices.

 

Bend Fire Chief Dave Howe told KBND News Thursday, they've managed to prevent the fire from growing. "It's holding at eight to 10 acres and they're cautiously optimistic they can contain it at that. It's not really moving anywhere right now.  We've still got that air tanker flying overhead. We do have a helicopter on scene that's working.  We have 19 units on scene, including engines, hand crews, dozers. So, we think we're actually looking like we're in pretty decent shape."

 

"Obviously with the proximity to town, they're going to activate as many resources as they can as soon as possible so they can hold it in check," Howe said Thursday. "They have activated a wildland task force, that means you get a group of other apparatus from outside the area, other departments, to get more resources assembled to be used if necessary."

 

The Three Pines and Shevlin subdivision were put on standby to be ready to leave if conditions worsen, although that pre-evacuation notice was expected to be lifted overnight.

 

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office closed Shevlin Park Road between Park Commons Drive and Bull Springs Road. Fire crews remained on scene all night to watch for flare ups, and expect to continue efforts on Friday.

 

Chief Howe says it will  be a while before they know what caused the fire.