Substation Fire At 82% Containment; Evac Levels Drop To Level 1

The Wasco and Sherman County Sheriff’s offices this morning reduced all evacuation advisories related to the Substation Fire to Level 1.  Containment of the Substation Fire has jumped up to 82 percent…with zero fire movement yesterday and acreage reduced to 79,121 due to accurate mapping.  Public Information Officer Kale Casey says the only location with isolated heat are in the Eight Mile Canyon and the Deschutes River Canyon…where there are bigger trees and riparian areas.   The structural damage report has gone up since yesterday’s community meeting…with four secondary buildings added to a list that included four primary residences, four industrial buildings, 48 outbuildings, eight commercial vehicles, and one RV were destroyed, while four primary residences, two industrial buildings, and three outbuildings were damaged.   Fire officials expect to begin the transition back to local authorities today.  Cause of the fire is still under investigation.   Speakers at the community meeting did emphasize people who have suffered damages in the fire should file claims were their insurance companies quickly.   There is a public information line for the Substation Fire:  503-597-8076.   Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill issued a statement Saturday on the investigation into the Substation Fire, emphasizing investigators need all credible information reported to them.   If anyone was traveling on Highway 197 between milepost 1 and milepost 3 on Tuesday at or about 3:30 p.m. and saw anything suspicious, like someone parked on the side of the road or someone throwing something out the window of a car, they are asked to call the a tip line set up by the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-7888. Magill says any information about vehicles in the area or what was seen directly before or after the fire is important to investigators. Anyone with a dash camera, or cameras on residences or business in that area, are asked to call investigators.   Magill has also asked those returning residents not to clean up their property at this time, as the Sheriff’s Office would like to speak with residents and photograph damaged property. Magill asked for patience as the process could take some time to complete, adding they ask that estimated financial losses be reported when contacted by investigators.   If property owners have not been contacted by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, they can call Sgt. Jeff Hall at 541-506-2580.   The Deschutes River has been reopened to boater traffic.  Those who recreate in and around the river should use extreme caution.  Boaters will have to pull off in areas that have recently burned if they plan to camp between Macks Canyon and Heritage Landing.  Black spots may still have hot spots, dangerous stump holes, or rolling material, and avoid standing trees and snags in recently burned areas that may have been weakened and are at risk of falling.  Also, river staff may temporarily hold up water users while helicopters are dipping or flying overhead.  When that happens, stay away from the helicopters.

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