(Sisters, OR) – Wednesday a pyrocumulus cloud (a dense, puffy cloud created by intense surface heating) formed over the fire prior to the arrival of the forecasted thunderstorms. The pyrocumulus cloud created its own weather system over the fire area and produced its own lightning.
Extreme fire behavior due to critically dry fuels and gusty outflow winds from the afternoon thunderstorms pushed the fire downhill toward Indian Ford and Wilt Roads and has crossed the Stevens Canyon Road. Firefighters encountered 150 to 200-foot flame lengths; requiring all resources to fall back on the south end of the fire and modify tactics to maintain firefighter safety and protect structures.
Heavy equipment constructed a fire line in and around the Wilt Road area. Firefighters successfully extinguished numerous spot fires near Wilt Rd and No Name Rd. Four structure task forces worked swing shift into the evening hours, providing additional protection near homes in the Indian Ford and Wilt Road areas. The fire received precipitation from the thunderstorm. Incident Commander, Craig Pettinger, encouraged the night shift by saying, “We’ve been handed a gift, and we need to take advantage of this break in the weather.”
Precipitation has calmed fire activity and will provide an opportunity to flank the active fire area. On the southern and western sides of the fire heavy equipment and crews constructed direct control lines utilizing attack where possible. Structural resources continued to triage and provide point protection on homes through the night.
Multiple road closures went into effect including Middle View Road, Indian Ford Road, and the section between Green Ridge Road and Meadow View Road. Central Electric Cooperative has deenergized power to homes on Stevens Canyon Road to Pine Glen Road and north of Indian Ford Road. For more information visit the Central Electric Coop website at www.cec.coop
Public Meeting An in-person community meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at the Sisters High School Auditorium. The meeting will be live-streamed for virtual attendees via Facebook on the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SCSRFPD
