BLM fire crews prepare to deploy from Pole Creek Road to fight the Indian Creek Fire. The Indian Creek Fire expanded to 26,000 acres Thursday and is burning west of Westfall. (BLM photo).
VALE – The Indian Creek fire burning about nine miles east of Juntura expanded to 26,000 acres Thursday night and is 20% contained.
Fire crews are working the fire from three different direction and digging lines around private property near Westfall.
The fire is about seven or eight miles west of Westfall, said Jim Cahill, a BLM spokesman.
More than 200 firefighters are assigned to the blaze and a fire camp is set up north of Harper.
As of Thursday, 30 aircraft conducted water and fire retardant drops on the fire and seven additional fire crews and 18 engines are being deployed to the blaze. The blaze is tentatively slated to be contained by Aug. 26.
The BLM warns residents of increased traffic on U.S. Highway 20 between Burns and Vale and along the Harper-Westfall Road as fire resources are deployed.
News tip? Contact reporter Pat Caldwell at 541-235-1003 or [email protected]
TO YOUR COMMUNITY: Reader support allows the Enterprise to provide in-depth, accurate reporting that otherwise would not get done. Keeping the community well informed is essential. SUBSCRIBE – $5 a month, automatically. DONATE – to provide additional support.