Smoke rises from a burned-over area of the Crazy Creek Fire on July 31, 2024.

PRINEVILLE — With no perimeter growth and containment over 90%, firefighters on the Crazy Creek Fire are focusing their efforts on repairing impacts to natural resources caused by suppression activities and addressing public safety risks from fire-damaged trees, fire managers reported in an update on Monday, Aug. 19.

The fire burning 5 miles north of Paulina in Crook County is an estimated 87,000 acres and is now 93% contained. A total of 516 personnel are assigned to the blaze.

Firefighters will continue to patrol the Crazy Creek Fire’s perimeter and interior for isolated hot spots, but resources are being directed toward returning containment lines to a more natural state to reduce erosion and other negative impacts to natural resources. Crews are also assessing — and removing where necessary — fire-damaged trees at risk of falling into roadways or recreation sites.

Suppression repair on the neighboring Kitty Fire concluded Sunday night.

Moderate temperatures in the 70s and 80s, along with humidity in the teens, are expected to keep fire behavior at a minimum. Heat and occasional smoke plumes may still be generated from larger-diameter vegetation, such as tree stumps, logs, and downed trees.

Evacuations: The Crook County Sheriff’s Office has lowered the evacuation level from Level 3 (recommended evacuation) to Level 2 (set for evacuation) from Highway 380 north to SE Puett Road. The area north of SE Puett Road around the perimeter of the fire remains at a Level 3. The area south of Highway 380 has been lowered to Level 1 (prepare for possible evacuation). An evacuation map is available online through the Crook County Emergency Management Office website.

Weather: Expect hot, dry, and windy conditions into the middle of the week. Temperatures will remain in the 70s to 80s with the humidity in the teens. Winds are expected to remain around 10 to 15 miles per hour with occasional gusts up to 20 miles per hour.

Importance of Fire Prevention: All public lands in Central Oregon, including the Ochoco National Forest, are in Stage 2 Public Use (Fire) Restrictions. All open flames, including woodstoves and charcoal briquette fires, are prohibited. In times of high fire danger, it is crucial for everyone to follow prevention measures to avoid additional strain on overburdened resources.

Fire Restrictions and Closures: The Ochoco National Forest has implemented a forest closure for the eastern portion of the Paulina Ranger District. The Bureau of Land Management has issued a temporary closure for portions of public lands in Crook and Grant Counties.