A growing wildfire in the Mill Creek Wilderness Area prompted a Level 2 pre-evacuation alert Tuesday night for about 40 homes, and Crook County Sheriff's Search and Rescue went door to door to notify residents to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
The Desolation Fire, which broke out Saturday about 20 miles northeast of Prineville, became very active Tuesday afternoon, already estimated at 300 acres. The fire reached the ridge above Marks Creek and was visible from Highway 26 but remained within the wilderness at last report, Ochoco
National Forest spokesman Patrick Lair said.