Johnson Ridge & Deep Ck. Fires, Aug. 2

ODF report, Aug. 1, 1:35 p.m. – CENTRAL OREGON – Saturday fire crews made great progress on the Deep Creek and Johnson Ridge Fires increasing containment on both fires. The Johnson Ridge Fire is located 9 miles northwest of Shaniko, Ore. The fire started early Friday morning and is 789 acres and is 90% contained. The fire was continued to be monitored Sunday with crews and a water tender mopping up any hot spots found near the perimeter of the fire. Many resources from the Johnson Ridge Fire have been transferred to the Deep Creek Fire to help secure fire lines in anticipation of gusty winds Sunday afternoon. The Deep Creek fire started on Thursday afternoon and is located 21 miles north of Madras, Ore. It is approximately 1,221 acres in size with 23% containment. An error was stated in last evening’s update that the acreage was 2,010 acres, but that was the combined acreage of the two fires. Priority for firefighters on the fire is on the thickets of trees and brush closest to the fire’s edge. Water tenders, engines, hand crews, dozers and a helicopter are all still assigned to the fires to ensure the fires stay within their footprints. On Monday the Type 3 Incident Management Team anticipates releasing some resources off the fires with the expectation of increased containment. However, the task forces of engines, hand crews and dozers will all remain here in Central Oregon, prepositioned and ready to help if the need arises.   The BLM Prineville District and Bakeoven/Shaniko Rural Fire Protection Association continued to work in unified command on the fires. We ask communities of Central Oregon and visitors to continue to be vigilant about fire prevention. No campfires are allowed anywhere in Central Oregon and being aware of parking or driving on dry grass. The precipitation yesterday was helpful, but most areas received minimal moisture and even those areas with moderate amounts will dry very quickly! Central Oregon remains in extreme drought, leading to continued extreme fire danger/ For current wildland fire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on Twitter @CentralORfire.