SISTERS, Ore. – Firefighters push containment to 75% as they enter the third day on the Juniper Creek Fire. Today, firefighters focused on securing the control line by finding and extinguishing all heat within 200 feet of the fire’s edge and patrolling for spots fires.
Evacuations: Effective 1:00 pm today, Jefferson County Sherrif’s Office lifted all evacuation notices for the Juniper Creek Fire. Officials are asking the public to avoid the area for firefighters’ safety with heavy equipment operating in the area through the week. See the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for more details (www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff) or contact Sergeant David Pond at 541-475-6520 or dpond@jcso.law.
ODF has three dozers, three skidgines, ten engines, two tenders and around 100 personnel continuing to work the fire. Crews consist of resources from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, local fire districts, Lake Chinook Fire & Rescue, contractors, and local partners.
The Juniper Creek Fire is located near the Three River area west of Lake Billy Chinook. It’s 16 miles northeast of Sisters on ODF-protected lands. Fire operations are being managed by the interagency Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS) Type-3 Incident Management Team under Incident Commander Cason McCain.
The fire started sometime around 11:00 am on Sunday, August 20, 2023. The cause is under investigation. Early on, the fire was quickly burning southeast and quickly grew to 100 acres. Active on three sides and driven by wind, the fire was running and spotting ahead of the fire. Crews initially ordered two single-engine tankers, but they were called off due to poor visibility.
This will be the last post for the Juniper Creek Fire unless conditions change.