MAUPIN — Firefighters joined the Boxcar Fire burning south of Maupin with the South Junction Fire north of Madras for safety purposes Sunday.
Forest Service spokeswoman Kassidy Kern said the action was taken to "decrease the risk that firefighters could get trapped between the fires and be in a compromised situation.”
Gusy winds Sunday night caused the Boxcar Fire to grow to 95,850 acres It was 47 percent contained as of Monday morning. Cooler temperatures were expected to aid firefighting efforts but strong winds were expected to return in the afternoon.
That fire is one of 70 sparked by lightning June 20 and 21 throughout central Oregon.
Firefighters with Central Oregon Incident Management, local ranchers and aerial resources completed several burnout operations Sunday, halting fire spread in several areas.
A burnout operation was completed along Bakeoven Road and a fire line was constructed at the southeast edge of Maupin using bulldozers. Air tankers laid down retardant and helicopters dropped water on hot spots to help secure these lines.
Fire backed down to the Deschutes River access road on the western flank of the fire, crossing the road and burning into the Harpham Flat campground and day use area. Firefighters were able to halt the spread of the fire to the south by burning along the South Junction Road from Shaniko Junction to South Junction Campground on the Deschutes River.
They were also able to use Highway 197 as a containment line from Shaniko Junction to Criterion, keeping the fire west of the highway while the South Junction Fire was joined with the Boxcar Fire.
Crews are now working to stop progression of the fire to the east, preserving prime grazing land.
Firefighters on the Jack Knife Fire, nearly 15,000 acres, 11 miles southeast of Grass Valley, were able to stop eastward progress of the fire at the John Day River.
The fire is now 65 percent contained. The fire’s western edge is bounded by disked agricultural fields that are being protected by fire lines.
While firefighting efforts are underway, Highway 197 is closed from south of Maupin to milepost 67, the junction with Highway 97.
People can still use the Deschutes River for boating and recreation. Camping is discouraged between Trough Creek and Maupin, including Harpham Flat, Longbend, Wapinita and Devil’s Camp. Boat ramps are still open for launching and takeout, but vehicles cannot be parked at the launch sites and a shuttle service should be utilized.
Periodically the River may be closed by local Rangers in order to facilitate helicopter water dips.
On the John Day River, river miles 68 through 55 are closed to camping.
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