The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The smoke plume erupted on the northeast skyline of Sisters at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 11 — and Sisters Country residents fell into the yearly cycle of wildfire.

The Grandview Fire, burning on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected rangelands and the Crooked River National Grassland, roughly 18 miles northeast of Sisters, spread rapidly through grass and juniper, growing from its start to 60 acres to 300 acres in rapid fashion. As of press time on Monday, the fire was estimated at 4,000 acres.

Level 3 evacuations (“Go Now”) were announced Sunday afternoon on areas north of Squaw Creek Canyon Estates along Wilt Road in Jefferson County.

Sisters Middle School at 15200 Hwy. 242 was designated as an evacuation point/shelter by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

Numerous resources were mobilized to the fire, including wildland engines, dozers, resources from structural agencies, and contract crews. Single engine air tankers (SEATs) and large air tankers dropped retardant on the fire until dark on Sunday night.

Fire crews were challenged by numerous spot fires and group tree torching on Sunday. By Monday morning, crews and dozers had preliminary containment lines or retardant around the majority of the 4,000 acre fire area.

Fire was active on Monday, growing toward the west before an east wind. In the afternoon, forecasted northwest winds began to push on preliminary fire lines to the south. Structure protection has been put in place around Holmes Road and Squaw Creek Canyon Estates.

This is likely to be a long-duration event and conditions will evolve. The Nugget will update on the fire and evacuation notices and status at http://www.nuggetnews.com and on The Nugget’s Facebook page.