The Pole Creek Fire, which more than tripled in size Saturday near Sisters, still has a high potential to grow, according to fire information released this morning.
As of 9:30 a.m. the fire had scorched more than 16,000 acres and was 10 percent contained, according to a news release from Oregon Incident Management Team 4.
Smoke covered much of Central Oregon throughout the morning. During the past week smoke from the fire had dispersed as temperatures rose each day, but according to the news release the smoke is expected to remain in the Sisters area for several days.
Residents in Sisters, especially those with respiratory problems, have been encouraged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
The fire was first spotted Sept. 9 and is burning on the Deschutes National Forest including the Three Sisters Wilderness, about six miles southwest of Sisters near the base of North Sister.
Winds from the north helped the fire jump containment lines Saturday but pushed the fire away from the town and nearby populated areas.
Still, residents southwest of Sisters near the intersection of Edgington and Remuda roads remain under a Level 2 pre-evacuation alert, meaning residents should be prepared to leave at any time and those with special needs or large animals should leave now.
Improved suppression conditions are expected today and fire crews plan to continue to develop containment lines around the blaze, according to the release.
--Joel Aschbrenner
