Progress Made on Stagecoach Fire; Evacuation Order Lifted
Central Oregon – Firefighters made good progress on the Stagecoach Fire yesterday and the evacuation order for two subdivisions was lifted around 10:30 p.m. The fire is currently being mapped and is considered 350 acres. The fire is still 10 percent contained this morning.
The Stagecoach Fire started at 3:30 yesterday afternoon five miles south of the Highway 97/Highway 31 junction, near the Old Stagecoach Road (approximately 8 miles northeast of Gilchrist, Oregon).
The cause of the fire is human; however, the specific cause remains under investigation.
Approximately 65 firefighters are currently fighting the fire. A dozer has put a preliminary line around the fire and crews will work to hold and improve this line throughout the day. Firefighters will also work to locate any spots outside the fireline. A Type 3 Incident Management Team took over command of the fire at 0600 this morning.
In addition to the Stagecoach Fire, the Prineville BLM is closing a portion of the Lower Deschutes River as a precaution against the Sunnyside Turnoff Fire on the Warm Springs Reservation. The fire has burned down to the river and has the potential to jump the river endangering rafters. As a result, the Lower Deschutes River is closed from the Warm Springs put-in (River Mile 98) to Nena (River Mile 59). Rafters can use their boater pass for Segments 2,3 and 4 today instead. The closure is temporary and will be lifted as soon as possible.
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