Akawa Butte Fire Swells to 26,000 Acres as 11,000 Face Evacuation Orders in Sisters
Updated
Updated · bendbulletin.com · Jul 23
Akawa Butte Fire Swells to 26,000 Acres as 11,000 Face Evacuation Orders in Sisters
3 articles · Updated · bendbulletin.com · Jul 23
Summary
Deschutes County expanded evacuation zones into parts of Sisters on Thursday after the Akawa Butte Fire grew past 26,000 acres and remained just 3% contained.
Storm-driven winds and a pyrocumulus cloud made the blaze erratic, sending flames more than 150 feet high, pushing crews south, and helping the fire jump Stevens Canyon Road.
One home was reported lost in the Stevens Canyon area, while roughly 11,000 residents were under evacuation notices ranging from Level 1 to Level 3.
Rain from the storms briefly slowed the fire, letting crews reinforce control lines before more warm, windy weather expected through the weekend.
At Sisters High School, about 30 evacuees stayed overnight, with a similar number sheltering in vehicles and nearly 20 pets on site.