Published Saturday, July 6, 2024, 1830 hours PDT

Photo Credit: Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon

Level 3 Evacuations (GO NOW!) are in effect –> SE Sunny Sage Way off of SE McCaffery Road.

3rd Alarm Structure Protection is in effect for –> Powell Butte Estates

A wildfire named the MC CAFFREY FIRE formerly listed as Incident 353 is burning off of SE McCaffery Road east of the Redmond Airport and south of Hwy 126 on Prineville BLM-managed land.

This prompted firefighters and equipment to be dispatched just after 1500 hours (1501PT) this afternoon, for the four-acre brush fire.

Aircraft was immediately launched including two SEATs (Single-engine Air Tankers) and several USFS and BLM engines.

Just after 1700 hours (1712PT), the fire behavior had grown more active and burned through 100 acres of brush. Multiple BLM/USFS engines, air tankers, and heavy helicopters were reportedly on the scene and engaging in initial attack efforts along with the Redmond (OR) Fire Department.

In less than 20 minutes (1728PT), the fire started to grow even more, scorching 50 additional acres of fuel, bringing an estimation of 150 acres. Private crews and a single dozer were working alongside other State, Federal, and local fire agencies.

Incident Cooperators include the USFS, Redmond (OR) FD, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the Deschutes County Emergency Management Agency, BLM, Prineville, Redmond, and Butte fire crews.

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog