Wildfire grows, but crews hold line.

Byline: Ilene Aleshire The Register-Guard

A wildfire burning about 15 miles west of Sisters almost tripled in size over the weekend, going from about 1,200 acres Saturday morning to about 3,200 acres Sunday evening, with only about 5 percent of the fire contained.

But firefighters were holding the line in the area that is their highest priority, near Black Butte Ranch, where there are more than 1,200 residences plus commercial properties, including a lodge.

Firefighters were holding the fire at bay about 1.5 miles from the western boundary of Black Butte Ranch, said Mike Waite, an information officer for the Central Oregon interagency team fighting the fire. "That has been the priority, to slow down that part of the fire." As of Sunday evening, he said, "It was sounding pretty good on that side."

Residents and visitors in the area were issued a Level 2 Evacuation Notice earlier, meaning they should be prepared to leave if notified but weren't being asked to evacuate at this time.

Waite said the fire was increasing along its southern edge Sunday and also growing more intense to the northwest, in the direction of the Mount Washington Wilderness area, but was not threatening any buildings in those areas.

About 460 people have been assigned to the fire, including firefighters and support crew.

The G.W. Fire, which was started by lightning, was reported Friday morning in the wilderness area. The main fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land with spots from the fire burning on private lands.

The Pacific Coast Trail was still open Sunday, but there was a special area closure just east of the trail in the Mount Washington Wilderness. Some local roads were closed because of the need for clear access to the fire by firefighters and fire equipment. All roads west of George McCalister were closed, including 1028 Road, 2067 Road, spur roads west of 2061 Road and spur road off of the 500 from Big Lake to Old Cache Creek Toll Station.