7/19/08 Crook and Jefferson County
Fire crews are battling a 640 acre fire 17 miles north of Madras Saturday. The Jersey Two fire was reported Friday night at 6:15 along the Deschutes River Canyon. Firefighters made excellent progress holding this fire through the heat of the day and will continue to mop up any remaining hot spots Sunday. The Lower Deschutes River remains open for recreation, but rafters should use caution when floating through the South Junction area. This fire is expected to be contained by eight o'clock Sunday night. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Another fire broke out this afternoon in the upper Juniper Canyon near the Prineville Reservoir. The Juniper Canyon Fire started after a motor home overheated while towing a boat and caught fire. The flames quickly spread to a nearby hillside. The fires has burned around twenty five acres so far. No structures were lost. Residents choosing to evacuate voluntarily were able to go to a temporary shelter offered by the Red Cross at the Cavalry Baptist Church in Prineville. Two helicopters and a single engine air tanker were on scene along with firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management, Crook County Fire and Rescue, and the Department of Forestry.