Single Publication

(Silver Lake, Ore.) – The Buck Creek Fire is burning in heavy timber on the Fremont-Winema National Forest about 12 miles southwest of Silver Lake in a semi-primitive area of the Forest with limited road access.  The Bowman Well Fire is burning in sage brush, grass and juniper on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management about 3 miles northwest of Christmas Valley, Ore. Local resources aggressively worked day and night to suppress the fires while a national incident management team mobilized. More accurate estimates of the fires’ acreage are the result of better data from overnight infrared flights. Public and firefighter safety remain the top priority on the incidents. 

Members of Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 10, under the leadership of Incident Commander Steve North, received a detailed briefing from local incident managers and assumed command of the Buck Creek and Bowman Well Fires at 6 a.m. today. Fire managers are continuing with current suppression plans while assessing both incidents. Additional resources continue to arrive. 

Buck Creek: Shortly after the fire was reported, crews were deployed by helicopter to the more inaccessible portions of the fire and have been able to build control line directly along the fire’s southern edge. However, recent warm and dry weather has led to more active fire behavior and an increase in acres burned. Firefighters to the north of the fire are working closely with heavy equipment operators to improve existing roadbeds for access as well as for control lines. Poor visibility due to smoke limited the use of aviation resources to helicopter bucket drops until yesterday when improved conditions allowed for the use of air tankers. 

Bowman Well: Due to the efforts of local resources, containment on the Bowman Well Fire is steadily increasing and the fire is nearly surrounded by control lines. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation level around the incident. Some areas remain within Level 2 “Be Set” to evacuate and Level 1 “Be Ready” for potential evacuation. For more information, see the attached map or visit the Lake County website at www.lakecountyor.org. Firefighters will continue to reinforce control lines around the fire’s perimeter and patrol the area overnight.

Weather: Increasing cloud cover is forecast throughout the day as a system moves into the area which is expected to bring the chance for widespread rainfall and thunderstorms tomorrow. 

Safety: For everyone’s safety, fire managers ask the public to drive attentively and to remain clear of the fire areas. The public also plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire by using caution with all ignition sources. For prevention tips visit https://keeporegongreen.org. Current fire danger is extreme and restrictions are in place within the Fremont-Winema National Forest. More information can be found at:  

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fremont-winema/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1188568 

Smoke:  Smoke from multiple fires around the region is affecting the area. For more information on smoke conditions and strategies on limiting exposure, go to: www.oregonsmoke.org or www.AirNow.gov.