It’s almost half contained; but time is running out for fire crews on the fire complex near Warm Springs. That's because a new weather system with wind and warmer temperatures is moving in this weekend, and even hotter weather is expected midweek. More than 2100 firefighters are there now trying to control those flames. 300 homes are under a mandatory evacuation notice in the Dry Hollow Area south of Warm Springs. “And they have a level 1 precaution notice in effect for several neighborhoods. They haven lost any homes yet, but they have lost three outbuildings with the fire.” Jerree Mills with the Fire Coordination Center says hot temperatures and windy conditions are expected over the weekend and things will get even worse by the middle of next week.  They may bring in more fire crews, as some fires in eastern Oregon die down.

Visitors in the greater Sisters and Big Lake areas can expect to see fire plumes near Mt. Washington over the Labor Day weekend and into next week based on predicted fire weather and behavior. The Shadow Lake fire burning in Mt. Washington Wilderness 15 miles northwest of Sisters and 7 miles west of Black Butte Ranch put up a visible plume yesterday. It was for the first time in a few days and due to increased fire activity, lower humidity and a slight increase in winds out of the north. The total fire perimeter grew Thursday to over 560 acres, an increase of about 60 acres.