Lewis Rock Fire (Friday Morning)

Wildfire Update

[Prineville, Ore.]  Firefighting work continued Thursday in efforts
to suppress wildfires on Central Oregon District protected lands.  Warm temperatures and windy conditions
challenged firefighters on the Lewis Rock Fire throughout the day.  Retardant drop from air tankers was essential
for keeping the fire in check, allowing firefighters to construct new fireline when
the fire spotted across.  Fire growth
yesterday was limited to approximately 12 acres, for a total size of 70
acres. 

Today firefighters will continue to work on strengthening
the fireline and pushing fire and heat back from the perimeter to secure the
fire.  Air resources including helicopters
and tankers will be available to support work on the ground.  The fire remains 0% controlled.

The town of Mitchell and surrounding community remain
on a level 1 evacuation notice.  For further
information and current evacuation status visit the Wheeler County Sheriff’s
facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice.

The 140 acre Bologna Fire, located 7.5 miles east of
Spray in the John Day Unit, is burning in grass and other fine fuels.  Firefighters worked late into the night using
bladder bags and gunny sacks to wet burning grass along the perimeter.  Overnight dozer line was completed around 25%
of the fire.  Today two crews and two squads
will continue work to complete the fireline. 
The fire is burning on private ownership and Prineville District Bureau
of Land Management lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

A fire on Big Summit Prairie was caught at less than a
tenth of an acre by firefighters from the Prineville Unit.

Resources from The Dalles Unit were heavily engaged in
mutual aid with partner agencies Thursday. 
Resources including two fireboss aircraft were used to support
suppression work on the Sunset Valley Fire on the south eastern edge of The
Dalles.

Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central
Oregon District.  Fireworks and campfires
(including cooking fires) are not allowed within the district boundary. 

For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon
District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.