Smoke from Lava Fire likely for weeks

FORT ROCK, Ore. - Smoke from the Lava Fire may be visible for weeks to come as the wildfire continues to smolder in the hot, dry Central Oregon summer, fire managers said.

The fire has burned 15 square miles and is considered 25 percent contained. Fire managers are allowing the blaze to burn inside a rugged lava flow inside a Wilderness Study Area, which mimics the natural role of fire on the landscape.

But fire crews are working to put a containment line around the blaze in case it burns beyond the lava flow.

The fire started July 23 with a lightning strike on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, about 15 miles northeast of Fort Rock.

Monday's windy conditions made progress in building a fire perimeter along the westside of the fire difficult.

Tuesday's plan is for firefighters to continue to use existing roads and burning operations to contain the fire within the WSA.

There are 269 people fighting the fire or supporting firefighting efforts.