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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Blaze severely damages northwest Medford warehouse ... Concealed-gun ruling may fuel Oregon legislation in 2017 ... Medford builder Louis Mahar II arrested for assault ... Blaze severely damages northwest Medford warehouse ... Concealed-gun ruling may fuel Oregon legislation in 2017 ... Medford builder Louis Mahar II arrested for assault ... CENTRAL OREGON Fire near Sisters, Oregon, 30 percent contained Comment By Andrew Selsky The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Andrew Selsky The Associated Press Posted Jun. 9, 2016 at 4:49 PM By Andrew Selsky The Associated Press Posted Jun. 9, 2016 at 4:49 PM » Social News BEND — Diminishing winds on Thursday helped firefighters who were trying to snuff out an early-season wildfire in central Oregon. Authorities said the blaze was 30 percent contained two days after it started with a lightning strike. About 900 homes are still considered threatened and residents must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice, the Oregon Department of Forestry said. As of Thursday morning, the size of the so-called Akawana fire north of Sisters and near Lake Billy Chinook was 1,930 acres. "The winds here have subsided quite a bit," Tom Fields, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said Thursday over the phone from a staging area in the town of Sisters. "Yesterday, winds were greater than 20 miles per hour, and there is now just a slight breeze." Winds Thursday afternoon were expected to pick up to a more manageable 10-15 mph, he said. Some 400 firefighters and support staff were expected on the fire, using bulldozers and backed by a helicopter dropping water on the flames, Fields said. Air tankers dropping fire retardant were previously being used, the forestry department said. Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday authorized firefighters and equipment from around Oregon to fight the wildfire. Fields said that because of cooler conditions and the snowpack, the 2016 fire season had been expected to start later. "This is the first major fire of the season," Fields said. "It is much earlier than expected." The fire was caused on Tuesday by a lightning strike and was spread by strong winds. Downed trees, some killed by beetles, added fuel to the fire. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality urged residents in central and southern Oregon to limit exposure to smoke by keeping windows and doors closed. By Andrew Selsky The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Andrew Selsky The Associated Press Posted Jun. 9, 2016 at 4:49 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501