The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon)
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Forest officials reopened Oregon 242 near Sisters on Sunday, although nearby land remains closed as firefighters continue to fight the Black Crater fire.
The closed area is bounded by Oregon 242 to the north, Soap Creek to the south, and Forest Road 15 and the Willamette National Forest boundary to the east and west. Road 15 is open to travelers.
The fire was at 9,400 acres and 95 percent contained as of 5 p.m. Sunday, said fire information officer Tom Fields. Officials had hoped to fully contain the burn by the end of Sunday, but extended the deadline to Friday.
In Southern Oregon, a fire near Crater Lake had grown to 105 acres as of Sunday.
The Lightning Springs Trail leading to the Pacific Crest Trail remains closed, as does a 10-mile stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Dutton Creek Trail junction to Bald Crater Loop Trail. Hikers should use the Rim Trail as an alternate route.
Lightning started the fire on July 23, and officials are allowing it to burn to help clear brush and improve wildlife habitat. It could grow to 600 acres, said fire spokeswoman Patti Wold.
“It started the same day as the Black Crater fire, and that went to 9,400 and ours is only 105,” she said. “The fire’s active, but not growing rapidly.”