Single Publication

Firefighters gain containment on the 498/Kitty Creek and Crazy Creek fires; Active fire behavior anticipated as a fire weather watch goes into effect 

Daily Update August 1, 2024

Fire Information Phone:541-208-1768 (8am-8pm)

Media Information Phone:541-208-1770 (8am-8pm)

Email: 2024.crazycreek@firenet.gov

Acres:  Crazy Creek - 31,440; 498/Kitty Creek - 73 

Acreage changes may occur due to overnight operations and infrared mapping.

Location: Crazy Creek:16 miles north of Paulina, OR                     Start Date: July 22, 2024 

                498/Kitty Creek: 7 miles south of Mitchell, OR          Personnel: 491 total for both fires

Containment: Crazy Creek 5%; 498/Kitty Creek 94%                    Fuels: Timber and short grass

Resources: 12 crews  | 25 engines  |  8 bulldozers |  11 water tenders  |  3 masticator  |  11 skid steer 

Highlights: Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 is planning to host a community meeting in the town of Prineville today, August 1 at 6 p.m. at the Crook County High School. A fire weather watch is in effect today, Thursday, August 1 due to extremely dry and hot conditions.

Fire Activity: Thanks to the hard work of air and ground resources on the western flank of the Crazy Creek fires, an increase in containment occurred Wednesday night. Containment on the 498/Kitty Creek fire increased to 94%.

Today, crews will construct containment lines on the north and northeast portions of the Crazy Creek fire with heavy equipment. Firefighters will also lay hose near Toggle Meadows to further protect values at risk in the area. On the eastern portion of the fire, crews will prep Salters Cabin and Wolf Creek Campground historic structures as masticating efforts continue at the 42 and 12 roads.

In the southeast area of the fire, air and ground resources will continue supporting firefighting efforts in the area of Roba Ranch. Crews will patrol and hold existing containment line and conduct mop-up where feasible. Smoke is expected as interior pockets of fuel burn.

Evacuations: Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for areas in Crook and Wheeler Counties for areas in or near the fire. Level 3 evacuations have extended from the Forest Boundary to highway 380. Level 2 evacuations have extended south of highway 380.

Weather: A fire weather watch is in effect today, Friday August 1, for the 498/Kitty Creek and Crazy Creek fires. Extremely warm and dry conditions will persist today with low humidity, temperatures in the high to mid-90s and 10-15mph winds.

Importance of Fire Prevention: All public lands in Central Oregon, to include the Ochoco National Forest are in Public Use (Fire) Restrictions. All open flames, including woodstoves and charcoal briquette fires are prohibited. In times of high fire danger, it is crucial for everyone to follow fire prevention measures to avoid additional strain on overburdened resources. The public's cooperation in adhering to fire bans and restrictions is vital to prevent new fires from starting and to help our firefighters focus on containing the existing fires. Learn more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices/?aid=89068. 

Smoke: Smoke from multiple fires in Central Oregon are impacting the region. Additional details are available via https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/079f0f73.

Fire Restrictions and Closures: The Ochoco National Forest has implemented a forest closure for the Paulina Ranger District. More information can be found at fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices/?aid=89203.

More Information:

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orocf-crazy-creek

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5 

Central Oregon Wildfire Information: https://centraloregonfire.org/ 

Crook County Emergency Information Map: https://arcg.is/1ij0vb