Fire impacts travel on Santiam Pass

BLACK BUTTE, Ore. -- Firefighters expect to contain the 578-acre wildfire burning on Black Butte by Sunday after thunderstorms bypassed the area Thursday.

The fire was 25 percent contained as of Friday morning, with continued firefighting traffic and a quilt show in Sisters expected to make for congested travel on the Santiam Pass this weekend. | TripCheck

The fire prompted the evacuation of the Black Butte firelookout and a campground. The fire did not affect the Black Butte Ranch less than 2 miles away, although the ranch said callers had mistakenly heard the fire forced the ranch to evacuate.

On Friday, crews worked to mop up around the fire perimeter and remove hazard trees.

Fire managers said the fire was creeping and smoldering, a change from the flare ups experienced during the first few days of the fire.

Thursday's thunderstorm activity moved to the east, but temperatures are rising and humidity falling, with more storms and possible winds are in the forecast.

There were 538 people assigned to the fire, including 19 crews, 13 engines and 16 water tankers.

The fire gets sequel treatment because it is burning in an area burned in the 1980s by what was called the Black Butte fire.

The Black Butte II Fire is burning adjacent to the area that was burned by the Black Butte Fire in the 1980s.