Today Jack and I were supposed to be enjoying a weekend horse camping trip in the Ochoco Mountains with some friends. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had something else in mind: Two weeks ago, lightning from a heavy batch of thunder showers started almost a dozen wildfires in Central Oregon, one of the biggest in the Ochocos, not far from Prineville.
Here in the high desert of Central Oregon, wildfire is a real concern, especially in August. We typically experience at least one major fire in the tri-county area each summer, often more. So homeowners know to make their homes as fire-safe as possible (see my previous post on how to prepare your home for fire season).
But as anyone who lives in a wildfire-prone area knows, there's only so much that we as homeowners can control. This particular fire, for example (known as the Bridge Creek Fire), was originally burning only on Ochoco National Forest land. Because one Forest Service policy is to let a fire on public land burn (under the wildland fire use program), a week passed before anyone began fighting it. Turns out, according to the Bend Bulletin, that was too late for at least one area resident, whose family ranch sustained fire damage when the wind changed and the temperature raised, heating and speeding up the blaze.
As of yesterday, the fire had grown to 4,902 acres and was just 45 percent contained. That latest report said it was expected to be 100 percent contained by Monday. Meanwhile, this morning, the Summit Springs Complex Fire, 10 miles northeast of Sisters, had intensified and spread to 1,926 acres, with 30 percent contained.
As for me and Jack, we're heading south to the Diamond Lake area, with a couple of friends and our horses (and their mules) tomorrow for a day ride instead. Here's hoping all goes as planned.
About the Author:
Lisa Broadwater is a Central Oregon-based real estate professional who specializes in listing
and selling rural acreage, especially horse properties. If you'd like to learn more
about Central Oregon, please visit www.CentralOregonHome4You.com.
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Lisa - Preparing for wildfires is pretty foreign around here. I hope everyone stays safe. By the way, how many horses do you have? What kind and color are they? Do you have any pictures? :)