The Cram Fire has expanded to just over 41,000 acres with erratic winds and high temperatures pushing growth in several directions. Strong, shifting conditions kept firefighting teams busy, particularly near Highway 97, where flames briefly forced a closure earlier Tuesday. ODOT urges drivers to visit TripCheck-dot-com before traveling in the area.  A large portion of Jefferson County northeast of Madras is under a Level 3-GO NOW evacuation order, along with portions of Wasco County. Overnight, teams concentrated on defending structures and reinforcing containment lines, as the blaze is expected to remain active.

The Highland fire south of Prineville is now 55-percent contained on it’s 718 acres.  Firefighters continue to locate and cool hot spots within the perimeter of the human-caused blaze.