Oregon Public Broadcasting

Crews have managed to construct an unsecured fire line around a 2,600 acre blaze just south of Sisters. But as David Nogueras reports, officials there say the next few hours could be critical.

Only about 5 percent of the fire line has been secured. But while officials are trying to shore up the entire perimeter, they're focusing their attention on the southeast portion the line. 

Earl Cordes is with the Central Oregon Incident Management Team.

Earl Cordes: "Because of the winds that are expected to come up and the fact that that's the push that we get from the afternoon northwest winds are going to push it to the Northeast incident management team and that pushes it to the southeast and that pushes it out towards some homes out in the area."

Cordes says about 30 homes are in a Level Three evacuation. That's where a threat is said to be imminent.

Cordes says resources are being deployed to protect buildings ahead of the fire. 

The state fire marshals office has put taskforces in the Willamette Valley on high alert in case the flames cross the fire line.