UPDATE: July 31, 9:30 a.m.
The Tolo Mountain Fire remains at 41 acres and is currently 20% contained.
There is a chance for afternoon thunderstorms in the area of the fire on Sunday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning north and northeast of the fire area.
Gusty winds might make it difficult for crews to continue fighting the fire on Sunday and Monday, but they will continue to lay hoses to plump the perimeter and use water to mop up hot spots within 100 ft. of the fire’s edge.
Firefighters will continue to monitor and mop up the spot fires that continue to pop up.
A skidgeon and a helicopter are on hand to help with firefighting operations.
For up-to-date information on Central Oregon fires, visit www.centraloregonfire.org or www.twitter.com/CentralORFire
Original article
Firefighters working the Tolo Mountain Fire near Crescent Lake had to temporaily break off as high winds and lighting moved through the area Saturday.
Central Oregon Fire said the fire received some precipitation and gusty winds as the storm moved through. It said firelines were being tested but were holding.
A Type 3 team took command of the firefight Saturday evening after spot fires broke out of the preliminary containment area.
The lightning-caused Tolo Mountain Fire is estimated at 41 acres. It is 0% contained, according to Central Oregon Fire Information.
“Multiple spot fires escaped the preliminary containment lines around the fire on Friday afternoon in critically hot, dry and breezy conditions,” Central Oregon Fire posted on its website. “Firefighters and heavy equipment have continued working the spot fires supported by a heavy helicopter and two Single Engine Air Tankers and are making progress constructing containment lines around the spots.”
Additional crews have been called in to join the fight.
Lines around one spot fire that firefighters constructed Friday held overnight. They will work to build containment lines around another spot to the east on Saturday.
The Tolo Mountain Fire is burning about three miles north of Cappy Mountain and six miles west of Two Rivers subdivision. It’s about three miles, as the crow flies, from the Pacific Crest Trail.
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The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning from 2:00 p.m. Sunday to 11:00 p.m. Monday in fire weather zone 640. That encompasses nearly all of Crook County and much of eastern Deschutes and Jefferson counties.
There may be spotty, heavy rain but also strong potential for new fire starts that could grow quickly with strong outflow winds, the Weather Service said.
