Beginning immediately, the Deschutes National Forest has expanded its forest closure order for the Cedar Creek Fire, to create more efficient firefighting operations on the fire on the eastern zone of the fire and because of increasing fire growth on the southern tip of Waldo Lake and in the Cultus Lake area. The expanded closure includes eastern portions of the Three Sisters Wilderness, up to the Cascade Lakes Highway's western edge starting south of Hosmer Lake and continuing through the current closure on the Cascades Lake Highway just south Twin Lakes, Davis Lake, and Wickiup Reservoir. People should go to the Deschutes National Forest's website (www.fs.usda.gov/main/deschutes/home) to see the closure map and "Know Before You Go." Though the Cedar Creek Fire is moderating overall allowing some evacuation levels to drop, firefighters still have a lot of work to do on the eastern edge of the fire to address the still actively growing fire. With the establishment of primary and contingency fire lines, both the Incident Management Team and Deschutes National Forest leadership determined it would increase operational efficiencies including reduced movement of fire equipment and personnel if the forest closure was expanded. "With the moderation in weather, resources can actively assess and prep road systems and control features before another period of active fire growth due to weather conditions . Efficiency in operations is a key factor for us to consider right now," said Robert Newey, Fire Management Officer for the Bend-Ft Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest. If the public has questions, they may contact the Bend-Ft Rock Ranger District at 541-383-5300.

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