TERREBONNE, OR -- A car fire led a large brush fire north of Terrebonne, near Juniper Butte, Wednesday afternoon. Fire crews were dispatched to Highway 97 at milepost 107, near the top of the butte, just before 3:30 p.m. While units responded, more calls to 911 indicated the fire had spread from the car to nearby brush and grass. The two men in the vehicle escaped unharmed. 

The brush fire was later named the Juniper Fire. It quickly grew to several hundred acres, prompting evacuations and closing Highway 97. Crews from the BLM, Crooked River Ranch Fire, Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch and two structural task forces from Crook and Deschutes counties responded, along with air units. Planes dipped into Lake Billy Chinook for water to drop on the fire. 

By Wednesday night, the Juniper Fire was estimated at 700 acres. But more accurate mapping Thursday morning put the size at 628 acres. It's now fully lined; as of noon Thursday, authorities say it's 50% contained. Evacuation orders were reduced Wednesday evening to Level 1 "Be Ready" and Highway 97 reopened. 

Photo courtesy of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.