Photo: Firefighter Christian Blake JamisonSISTERS, OR (KPTV) -
A wildfire burning near Sisters has now burned 17,500 acres, and people living nearby have been told to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.
Firefighters strengthened containment lines during a smoke-filled, chilly night going into Tuesday, and, as of 8 a.m., the fire was 15 percent contained. Warming, drying conditions and an unstable air mass moving back into the central Oregon .
For those living south of Highway 20 and west of the Three Creeks Road, there is a Level 2 alert for a pre-evacuation order. The same goes for the Crossroads and Edgington/Remuda areas.
Because the growth potential is high, people in the area should be ready to leave at any time, fire officials said. Firefighters said people with special needs should leave now and large animals should also be moved to a safer location.
In the event there is a mandatory evacuation, residents will be warned with a phone call from 911 dispatchers.
All major highways and roads to Sisters and other Central Oregon towns remain open.
The wildfire started six miles southwest of Sisters on Sept. 9. The cause remains under investigation.
The American Red Cross has opened an aide station at the Sisters Elementary School gymnasium to provide a place for people to get out of the smoke.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
