Fire Near Sisters 30 Percent Contained, Still Threatens 900 Homes

A 1,900 acre fire near Lake Billy Chinook continues to threaten more than 900 homes. Officials said the fire is 30 percent contained.

The Akawana fire is within a few miles of a subdivision northeast of Sisters in Jefferson County, and it's triggered a preliminary evacuation notice for residents. Residents in the area have been asked to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

The lighting-caused blaze is currently burning in heavy brush and ponderosa pine on state forestland.

Fire managers said 20 mph winds continue to stoke the fire. Those winds are expected to continue, but lower temperatures may help with fire suppression efforts in coming days.

Four hundred firefighters are working to control the fire with support from helicopters and air tankers that drop flame retardant.

On Wednesday, Gov. Kate Brown invoked the Conflagration Act to authorize additional resources to help with the fire.

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Amanda Peacher is an Arthur F. Burns fellow reporting and producing in Berlin in 2013. Amanda is from Portland, Oregon, where she works as the public insight journalist for Oregon Public Broadcasting. She produces radio and online stories, data visualizations, multimedia projects, and facilitates community engagement opportunities for OPB's newsroom.