June 18--Firefighters attacked the Owens fire south of Hood River on Wednesday, making good progress as they dug line and dumped water on it.
The fire, 10 miles south of Hood River, was reported about 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday. It spread rapidly in the morning, pushed by strong winds through dry logging slash. By mid-day, it had burned 50 acres but was 50 percent contained.
Firefighters have nearly completed a fire line on the south flank and will dig a line on the north this afternoon. With a road to the east, creating a fire barrier there, crews expect to have the blaze fully lined by 6 p.m.
Winds have calmed and the humidity is expected to rise this afternoon, both good news for fire crews.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. It follows a flash storm that pummeled the Portland area on Monday, with plenty of lightning. But the National Weather Service said there was not a lot of lightning in Central Oregon.
This fire is the second in Central Oregon this year following the Two Bulls fire earlier this month outside Bend, which charred nearly 7,000 acres. Caused by arson, officials are offering $31,500 for information that leads to a conviction.
Conditions in Central Oregon are extremely dry for this time of year, with plenty of fuels in the forest. Foresters urged the public to take care to avoid igniting a blaze when visiting timbered area.
-- Lynne Terry
Copyright 2014 - The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.
