Ten Keizer firefighters were recently deployed to Sisters to fight an out-of-control blaze two miles northeast of the town.

The Flat Fire started on Thursday, Aug. 21, near Lake Billy Chinook, officials reported. No suspected cause has been released. As of Monday, the fire covered 21,971 acres.

“Last night, firefighters took advantage of reduced fire activity and cooler temperatures to make significant progress,” the Oregon Department of Forestry reported the morning of Monday, Aug. 25.  

The Keizer Fire District sent two units on Friday, Aug. 22, and Saturday, Aug. 23. One unit was in Engine 365, typically used for structure fires. The other was a brush truck, used for off road conflagrations. They were part of a Marion County task force mobilized by state officials as thousands of homes were threatened.

District officials said that the firefighters are focused on point protection, a strategy that targets specific structures. That is intended to keep flames at bay instead of directly attacking the fire.

WATCH IT: Keizer firefighters at work

Officials said that high temperatures, reaching 90 degrees, coaxed the flames. North winds caused rapid fire spread. 

Officials reported that a sudden forecast change that includes the chance of rain and lower temperatures has greatly improved their efforts.

“Overarching, we are starting to get a handle on this fire…we have it all hemmed in, feel pretty good about it, and are starting to get the upper hand on this,” said Eric Perkins, operations sections chief for the Oregon Department of Forestry, in a video release.

District officials had no word on when Keizer’s firefighters will return home. 

Deployed firefighters include: Chief Ryan Russell, Battalion Chief Rachel Brozovich, Captain Aaron Pittis, Lieutenant Bill Herring, Lieutenant CJ Thorne, Engineer Casey Finnerty, Engineer Mike Jensen, Engineer Aaron Kennen, Firefighter Joe Hiller, Firefighter Jeff Iles and Firefighter Dustin Lemmon.

Contact reporter Riley Ellis: [email protected].

This article was originally published in the Keizertimes, which shares ownership with Salem Reporter. Contact Keizertimes at [email protected].

News tip? Email [email protected].

A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE.