MADRAS, Ore. (AP) — With a conflagration declaration from the governor, more firefighters are battling a wildfire that has burned about 1,300 acres in central Oregon.
A state fire marshal’s management team is operating from a fire station in Madras. A spokesman, Justin de Ruyter (duh-RY’-ter), says about 150 firefighters are on the scene Tuesday, with fire engines guarding about 15 or 20 homes that were threatened.
The Elk Fire broke out Monday afternoon near Madras and was spread by winds through grass and brush on private land and Bureau of Land Management property. De Ruyter says the cause remains under investigation.
No one has been injured. There’s an unconfirmed report that an outbuilding burned, but no homes have been lost.
De Ruyter says crews hope to contain the fire by Tuesday night.
