Citizens and Firefighters Begin Returning Home as Black Crater Conflagration Contained

Crews breathe a sigh of relief as a fire that had significantly grown worse over the weekend, came under firefighter control.

Black Crater Fire Saturday Photo by: Tim King

(SISTERS) - Cooler temperatures and a secure fire line contain the Black Crater Conflagration burning southwest of Sisters allowing both the evacuated residents and structural firefighters to return home.

Residents from 204 homes in the Crossroads subdivision and Edgington Road are requested to remain out of the area until evaluations are complete and evacuation orders lifted. The lightning started fire at 9,200 acres is now 30 percent contained.

Supplemental structural fire personnel and equipment resources from Marion, Linn, Lane, Lincoln, and Klamath have been demobilized and have returned home to once again be available for structural fire protection in their own communities.

Clatsop, Clackamas, Benton, and Yamhill counties remain on scene.

All residents throughout the surrounding area are advised to be aware of dangers from falling embers. Project Wildfire, a local Deschutes County group developed to help reduce wildfire risks, advises that embers, also known as firebrands, reach property long before flames from a fire.

Embers ignite spot fires and vulnerable areas like decks, patios and fences. More detailed information is available at: egov.oregon.gov/OOHS/SFM/news/Falling_embers_PSA.doc. A historic cabin was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon in an area without fire protection.

On July 27th Governor Ted Kulongoski invoked the Oregon Conflagration Act to allow State Fire Marshal Nancy Orr to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire.

The request to invoke the Oregon Conflagration Act came from Deschutes County Fire Defense Board Chief Taylor Robertson. On July 28th the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the fire.

Updated fire information is available at OSFM website: egov.oregon.gov/OOHS/SFM.