Air and ground crews have 624-acre Grizzly Flat Fire SE of Madras 65% contained, evacuations lifted
Barney Lerten
(Update: Revised size estimate, containment figure; Crook County drops Level 1 notice)
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Numerous firefighters on the ground and in the air stopped the spread of a new grass fire that burned about 500 acres southeast of Madras near the Jefferson-Crook county line on Wednesday, prompting evacuations and alerts that later were reduced and dropped.
The Grizzly Flat Fire was reported shortly after noon about three miles north of Grizzly Mountain, south of the intersection of SE Ramms and Grizzly roads, according to Watch Duty. Forward progress was stopped on the fire by Wednesday evening and the fire, estimated late Wednesday at 624 acres, was mapped overnight at 496 acres, but officials later held to the higher figure.
As of Thursday afternoon, officials said the blaze was 65% contained, “with three crews and five engines working hard to further that.”
Here’s their Thursday afternoon update on the Grizzly Flat Fire:
Start Date: July 2 at 12:09
Location: Northwest of Prineville, OR
Jurisdiction: Oregon Department of Forestry–Prineville
Fire Size: 624 acres
Cause: Under investigation
Fuels: Grass, brush, juniper
Structures: No structures lost; all evacuations lifted
Fire Crews/Resources: Interagency fire crews are engaged and continuing mop-up. There is a fireline around the perimeter of the fire.
Containment: 60% Containment
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.
The fire burned on land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District, which posted this update Wednesday night:
“Thank you to all our friends and neighbors that helped stop the Grizzly Flat Fire today! The landowner and neighbors, Grizzly RFPA, Jefferson County Fire District, Jefferson County Sherrif’s Department, Crook County Sherrif’s Department, BLM, USFS, all those amazing aviation folks and dispatchers out there. This incident had significant potential to become a much bigger problem.
The fire is currently estimated to be 500 acres, expect that to change with more accurate mapping. Its expected to remain inside the current footprint and crews will be on scene into the night to keep it there. Please avoid the area as crews will be mopping up hot spots for the next few days.”
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.
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Around 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook:
“Due to a fire off Grizzly, (Zone) SE 16 is in a level 3. SE 20 is a level two. SE15 is a level one. (CRR-1S-B was added later.)
Winds are blowing in a SE direction at this time. If levels change, we will let you know through the Everbridge alert app and here on Facebook.”
Around 6 p.m., they posted a good-news update:
“All zones are currently at a Level One. Thank you to all the hard work of the First Responders who assisted with the Grizzly Flat Fire. Still stay Ready to Go at any time.”
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office evacuation levels map: Red is Level 3 GO NOW, Yellow is Level 2 GET SET, Green is Level 1 GET READY
INTERACTIVE MAP: https://fr911orgis.maps.arcgis.com/…/weba…/index.html…
Seven engine crews were dispatched Wednesday, along with a bulldozer, as firefighters worked to protect structures east of the fire.
Crook County, meanwhile, issued a LEVEL 1 (BE READY) notification for NW Grizzly Mountain Road, Ochoco West Subdivision, and NE Allen Creek/NE Lofton Creek.
Shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office posted: “CCSO Emergency Management has dropped the LEVEL 1 (BE READY) evacuation for the Grizzly Flat Fire.”
No cause has been reported for the fire, but Central Oregon fire officials said the region received more than 2,700 lightning strikes from Tuesday’s thunderstorms.
They said, “13 new incidents within the same period are either completely contained or being actively worked.” Most were stopped at a small size, typically listed as 1/10th of an acre.
We will be tracking this new fire and others as they come to light, on KTVZ.COM and KTVZ+.