The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Incident Management Team held its in-briefing at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday and joined the Central Oregon Type 3 Team in unified command of the Alder Springs Fire. The Alder Springs Fire is burning on US Forest Service, BLM, and lands protected by Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue and the Lower Bridge Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA). The fire has been more accurately mapped at 3,442 acres and is 0% contained.
Alder Springs Fire Information: 503-383-9647
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Evacuation Information: 541-420-9652
Alder Springs Fire Facebook Page: Facebook.com/AlderSpringsFire
OSFM is in command of eight task forces, comprised of 110 structural firefighters brought in from around the state to protect private homes and infrastructure. Those structure firefighters join the 262 wildland firefighters on crews, engines and heavy equipment.
Tuesday, firefighters took advantage of favorable weather conditions to conduct burnout operations and secure fire lines. The burnout on the southern edge of the fire, where most of the smoke is still concentrated, was successful in stopping the spread of the fire to the south. Crews were assisted by heavy helicopters cooling hot spots and air tankers dropping retardant as they constructed line and secured the perimeter. On the northern side of the fire, the Deschutes River corridor is steep and rugged, but firefighters were able to engage in direct line construction where the fire jumped the river, mopping up on both sides and then methodically working along the fire’s edge to feel for hot spots. Night crews were able to hold, secure and mop up areas closest to the fire line while OSFM task forces focused on providing point protection for structures in the area and mopping up hot spots.
Today, resources will continue to build and improve containment lines. Five OSFM task forces are continuing to conduct structural assessments, mop up 50 feet around structures, and maintain point protection in preparation for stronger winds expected this afternoon and evening. Wildland crews will increase mop up depth on containment lines, continue to secure line in the steeper drainages, and work will be supported by aerial resources to cool hot spots.
Alder Springs Community Meeting: OSFM and the Central Oregon Type 3 Team will hold a community meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Terrebonne Community School Gym (1199 B Avenue, Terrebonne, OR). Fire managers will discuss weather forecasts for the fire area, current and expected fire behavior, fire operations strategies and tactics, and then answer questions about the Alder Springs Fire.
Evacuations: All evacuations issued by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office remain in place today. Jefferson and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office have issued the following evacuations: A Level 3 (GO) evacuation order for CR06, CR07, CRR8, CR10N, CR10S, CR11, CR12, CRPL2; a Level 2 (SET) evacuation warning for zones CR02M, CR02N, CR02NW, CR02SW and CR09, as well as Deschutes Campground at Cove Palisades, along the river and campground; and a Level 1 (READY) evacuation advisory for CR02E, CR02NE, CR02SE, CR03M, CR03N, Lake Billy Chinook Public Lands 3, RED-101, RED-91, RED-92 and SIS-016. For more information on evacuation notices visit:
Deschutes County Evacuation Map: https://tinyurl.com/
Jefferson County Evacuation Map: https://tinyurl.com/
A temporary evacuation point has been established at Highland Baptist Church: 3100 SW Highland Avenue, Redmond, OR. A large animal shelter has been established at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds at 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, OR.
