Willow Fire tops 4,400 acres, now 30% contained; BLM issues area closure, but evacuation alerts reduced to Level 1
Barney Lerten
(Update: Saturday update; containment established, evacuations reduced to Level 1; new BLM closure)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Willow Fire has grown to 4,416 acres, burning on Prineville District BLM and private land in southeast Crook County, officials said Friday. Fire officials released new information putting the containment at 30% now. Progress led county officials to reduce Level 3 GO NOW and Level 2 GET SET evacuation alerts to Level 1 GET READY.
Firefighters have constructed fire line around the majority of the fire, including the head of the fire on the east side of Buck Creek, to prevent further movement to the southeast onto more private land and the Malheur National Forest, officials said in Friday’s update. But the Willow Fire is 0% contained.
The Central Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team under the command of Adam Barnes is now in command of the Willow Fire as of Thursday at 3:00 p.m.
Crook County sheriff’s deputies announced the lower Level 1 evacuation notice for the area on Friday morning but advised, “Please continue to be alert for potential evacuation changes.”
Evacuation Levels 2 and 3 were replaced Friday by Level 1 GET READY near the Willow Fire
There was minimal activity on the fire Thursday, and with favorable weather Friday, BLM and USFS engines, dozers and skidgens, along with Brothers-Hampton Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) resources will focus on completing fire line construction and to begin securing the fire perimeter and mopping up where possible.
The Sunrise Fire, meanwhile, is now 90% contained at 307 acres in the South Fork Wilderness Study Area and firefighters are continuing to work on mopping up and securing the perimeter
The Foley Creek and Board Hollow Fires on private land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), 20 miles north of Prineville, are both 80% contained at 30 acres and 21.5 acres, respectively.
Firefighters responded to four new fires Thursday will continue to remain vigilant for new starts that result from lightning earlier in the week. As resources continue to work these fires, the public is reminded to be careful with all ignition sources, especially with forecast high temperatures this weekend. Do your part to prevent one more spark.
Information on all fires in Central Oregon will be posted on the only official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org or on X/Twitter @CentralORfire.Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.
BLM closes certain lands in Crook County due to Willow Fire
Prineville, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management announces an immediate temporary closure of public lands in Crook County due to an active fire in the area. This action is taken to ensure public safety, protect land health, and maintain resource integrity, while minimizing conflicts with emergency response teams engaged in fire suppression efforts.
Closure Details: The affected public lands include portions of the following townships as shown on the attached map:
Tp. 20 S., Rg. 23 E
Tp. 20 S., Rg. 24 E
Tp. 21 S., Rg. 23 E (north of Buck Creek Road)
Tp. 21 S., Rg. 24 E
This closure is effective immediately and will remain in place until conditions permit safe public access.
Exceptions to the Closure: Certain individuals may be exempt from this closure, including:
Federal, State, or local officers or members of emergency crews engaged in official duties.
BLM employees and contractors performing their official tasks.
Individuals with existing rights for access or those holding written approval from the BLM Authorized Officer.
Legal Penalties: Violations of this closure may result in legal action, including fines and potential imprisonment. Vehicles found violating this order may be towed.
For further information, please contact the Prineville District Front Desk at 541-416-6700.
Details of the closure and relevant maps will be available online at Fire Restrictions – Oregon-Washington Bureau of Land Management.
In southern Klamath County, crews made progress overnight on the nearly 2,600-acre Elk Fire, which also remains at zero containment. No more growth was reported amid cool overnight temperatures, officials said Friday.
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Earlier info:
Officials said late Thursday that “crews made good progress constructing direct fire line.” They also said firefighters responded to a new blaze Thursday on Hampton Butte, adjacent to the Willow Fire.
Lightning strikes have ignited nearly two-dozen fires across Central Oregon this week, the largest of which is the Willow Fire, estimated earlier Thursday to be 1,000 acres, with the head of the fire on the east side of Buck Creek, nearly reaching the border of the Malheur National Forest.
The lightning storm that passed through Central Oregon Tuesday ignited about two-dozen fires being fought by crews Wednesday, the largest one in southeast Crook County that quickly grew to about 500 acres and forced Level 3 and 2 evacuations.
The largest new blaze, the Willow Fire, was reported shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday near Willow Ridge in southeast Crook County. It had burned about 500 acres by early evening, Watch Duty reported.
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office issued Level 3 GO NOW and Level 2 BE READY evacuations in the Willow Butte area.
Two large air tankers, two single-engine air tankers and an air attack plane were heading to the fire, burning on BLM land about 20 miles north of Glass Butte.
Central Oregon Fire Information Officer Kassidy Kern told KTVZ News several engines, a bulldozer and skidgen were on scene or en route. Two Type 1 helicopters were ordered up, as well as a SEAT plane and a large air tanker out of Medford.