Oregon wildfires update: 600 told to evacuate because of blaze near Sisters

UPDATED 10:51 p.m.

Crews battling a fire that threatens residential areas near Sisters worked Friday night to build a direct line on the leading edge of the fire, with engine crews patrolling the area and dozer crews digging fire line, fire officials said.

Gusty winds Friday pushed the Milli fire to the east-southeast, prompting officials to invoke a Level 3 (go now) evacuation for an estimated 600 residents. The Oregon Department of Transportation has closed Oregon 242 because of the fire, and one additional subdivision remained under a Level 1 (get ready) evacuation notice Saturday afternoon.

Because of the fire's threat to people and property, firefighting officials have ranked it the nation's top priority for resources and crews. A map showing evacuation zones can be found on Deschutes County's website.

The blaze is moving east and producing a large column of smoke, fire information officer Susie Heisey said Saturday afternoon. Officials are using a lot of aviation resources in an effort to stop its advance, she said.

Sisters-area resident Jim Monroe, 69, and his wife moved to the Crossroads subdivision two years ago, choosing the community as retirement community after both held jobs in Kenya. Anticipating Friday's evacuation order, they left their home on Thursday.

"We love central Oregon," Monroe said, while driving to Portland to visit children and grandchildren. "When we lived in an area with abject poverty (Kenya) and with people who have nothing, losing belongings in a forest fire is a real First World issue.

"We don't want to lose anything...but we're trying to keep this thing in balance."

The couple left their house with important papers and their dogs. They expect to spend most of their time away from Sisters with releatives in Salem. That is also where they will view the eclipse on Monday, dropping plans to have family gather and viewing at their Sisters home.

About 5 p.m. Saturday, authorities expanded the area of Deschutes National Forest that is closed to the public. Forest Road 16 leading from Sisters to popular outdoor recreation areas south is closed.

Three Creeks Campground, which was not threatened by the fire, was evacuated of what a spokesperson called a "minimal" number of campers. Three Creek Meadow and Park Meadows were closed early Saturday, but Tumalo Falls Trailhead remains open. The closure boundaries to the west and north remained fairly constant.

Crews will be working overnight to contain the fire's eastern edge, Heisey said.

Elsewhere:

Umpqua North Complex: The fire has been growing due to windy and warm conditions. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has issued a Level 3 (Go) evacuation notice in the Dry Creek and Illahee areas. Moore Hill Lane was under a Level 2 (Get Set) order. And the Susan Creek residential area and the BLM Susan Creek Campground were issued a Level 1 (Get Ready) order. At 8 p.m., authorities told residents in the Clearwater area along Highway 138 East to get ready to go, as well. The Level 1 notice applies to homes between mile markers 53 and 61.

Highway 138 East is closed between mile markers 43 and 54 due to falling debris and firefighters in the area. The fire started Friday, Aug. 11, 50 miles east of Roseburg and covers 6,878 Acres.

Nena Springs Fire: Warm Springs Law Enforcement officers reduced the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort evacuation notice from Level 3 to Level 1, allowing resort visitors to use Highway 3. The resort remains open.

Charley Canyon, Webster Flat Road, South Junction, Culpus Bridge, and Wolf Point Subdivision were also reduced to a Level 2. All roads except Webster Flat are open.

Lighter wind Saturday is expected to slow fire growth. High temperatures will create dryer conditions. In the last two days, the fire has gained just over 19,000 acres, bringing the fire's total to 66,003 acres.

Chetco Bar Fire: The Curry County Sheriff's Office has been expanding the areas subject to a Level 3 (Go) evacuation order. They included the Alfred Loeb State Park on the south coast near the Oregon-California border, Gardiner Ridge Road up to Hazel Camp area, Cate Road, and the Wilson Creek area. Displaced people are being directed to the Brookings-Harbor High School. A map of current evacuated areas is available here.

Lightning is believed to have started the fire July 12 near Pearsoll Peak in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. The fire is burning within the fire scars of the 2002 Biscuit Fire and 1987 Silver Fire.

The area is under a red flag warning through noon Sunday due to strong gusty winds and low relative humidity. The combination of high winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures creates potential for the fire to grow rapidly.

A community meeting is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday at Azalea Middle School, 505 Pacific Ave. in Brookings.

-- Allan Brettman

-- Jim Ryan and Carli Brosseau contributed to this report.

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