Lewis Rock Fire Update 

Mitchell, OR– Oregon
Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3, led by Incident Commander
Tyler McCarty, assumed command of the Lewis Rock Fire Monday evening. The
arrival of the team brings in additional overhead capacity and firefighting
resources. The team’s presence also relieves local assets that have been
battling the fire since June 30. 

Persistent winds that have
been challenging firefighters over the past several days finally calmed and
allowed crews to hold the fire in check overnight. The fire is now estimated at
about 440 acres. While an overnight infrared flight detected heat close to
containment lines, firefighters have established hose lays along much of the
fire’s perimeter and are beginning to mop-up towards the interior to prevent
spot fires. 

Crews are also working against
the clock as thunderstorms are expected to develop over the area this afternoon
bringing the threat of lightning and erratic winds. Some crews will be
at-the-ready should additional fires spark from the predicted lightning. 

The active early fire season
under extreme fire danger conditions gives fire officials cause to spread the
fire prevention message. Preventable human-caused fires have the potential of
pulling much needed resources away from fires sparked by lightning. The public
is required to follow fire season restrictions such as campfires, small
equipment use and off-road driving.

Current fire restrictions and
information for ODF’s Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com