The Pole Creek Fire, burning six miles southwest of Sisters, grew to about 4,300 acres this afternoon and officials are prepared for it to grow further, according to updates today.
Three hundred firefighters are on the fire.
The “growth potential for the fire is extreme due to weather forecasts and fuels," according to the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center. “This is a fuel-driven fire with heavy down and dead material."
A pre-evacuation notice is in place for the Crossroads area, including Edgington Remuda, meaning residents should be prepared to leave. Residents are not asked to leave, according to the dispatch center.
Firefighters burned away some fuel on the south side of the fire in order to provide an anchor for their further efforts, according to the center update. A Type II incident team is expected and should have command of the fire by 8 p.m. A fire camp is being set up at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Highway 242 was expected to reopen this morning. However, an area was declared off limits south of Highway 242 from McKenzie Pass following the Deschutes County line west, then south near Three Creek Lake and east to Forest Service Road 4606. The Pacific Crest Trail remains open.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has created an information line for the public, 541-550-4886.
