Firefighters achieved a major milestone on the 373,783-acre Rowe Creek Complex by connecting containment lines between Mill Creek and U.S. Highway 26, bringing the total containment to 84 percent Friday morning.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Team and Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2 reported that the connection was made through a combination of hand crews, bulldozers, and strategic black lines in difficult terrain. Structural task forces remain engaged in around-the-clock operations to locate and extinguish smoldering fuels within 200 feet of homes, specifically cooling heat sources and digging out stumps and logs to increase mop-up depth.
Crews were also called to assist local authorities with a new 200-acre fire, named the Rosenbaum Fire, which was sparked by lightning north of Camel Hump during Thursday’s storms. While other lightning strikes were recorded near the complex perimeter, no other new starts have been reported as of Friday morning.
U.S. Highway 26 has reopened to traffic, though crews continue to remove fuel from the corridor through chipping and physical removal. Drivers are urged to follow posted speed limits, avoid stopping on the roadway, and remain alert for heavy equipment operating in the area. Forest Service Roads 100 and 2610, as well as Ranger Station Road, remain closed to the public as crews work to secure primary and contingency lines.
The progress has allowed Wheeler and Jefferson counties to reduce some evacuation statuses as of Thursday. Utility crews from Central Electric Co-op are currently working along Ranger Station Road to replace poles and lines, aiming to restore power to the area.
Weather conditions for Friday include a forecast high of 83 degrees with a 15 percent chance of precipitation. While the upcoming forecast appears favorable for firefighting, officials warned that thunderstorms with the risk of lightning and erratic outdraft winds remain possible throughout the day.
Relevant Links and Resources:
- Official Fire Updates: Inciweb
- Road Conditions: TripCheck.com
- Air Quality Monitoring: AirNow.gov
- Evacuation Maps: Crook County, Jefferson County, Wasco County, and Wheeler County
- Forest Closures: Ochoco National Forest Alerts
A Red Cross shelter remains open at the East Side Church, 3174 NE Third Street, in Prineville. Fire officials remind the public that a temporary flight restriction is in place and unauthorized drone operations are illegal and will ground firefighting aircraft.