The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Cache Mountain fire has transformed Sisters High School into a fire command center.

A sea of tents surrounds the high school where firefighters sleep when off shift.

They can shower and grab a meal at the facility.

Teams of men lie out in the shade of trees, resting on mattresses and blankets. In the art room labs, fire support personnel prepare reports and gather information. The cafetorium is used to give briefings.

"This wasn't the first time we've played host," said Principal Boyd Keyser, "Every time we learn a little more on how to be a better host."

According to Keyser, the fire management team has been a good guest.

The school district is in charge of negotiating the contract for leasing the school to the Forest Service. Changes are usually made each time the site is used, said Keyser.

According to Keyser, a number of logistical problems have presented themselves.

The construction of the new Sisters High School continues as fire vehicles drive in and out of the high school campus. A proposed service road to Highway 20 has not been completed yet, making State Route 242 the only access road. With the closure of Highway 20, slight congestion is present at the high school intersection.

"We're running out of room here," said Keyser, "We may have to use another facility."

According to Keyser, the new high school and middle school complex will provide for an efficient command center. There will be access roads straight to Highway 20 and Highway 242, with plenty of room for firefighters and equipment.