Rain, retardant slow SE Oregon wildfire

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The federal Bureau of Land Management says rain showers and retardant drops have virtually brought a southeastern Oregon wildfire to a stop - and it’s smaller than previously estimated.

Spokeswoman Tara Martinak said Friday afternoon that despite some interior hot spots and an occasional flare-up, officials expect the fire to remain quiet into Saturday. Lightning touched off the Denio (di-NY’-oh) Basin fire in grass and brush south of Steens Mountain, just north of the Nevada border.

The BLM says a closer look at the burn perimeter shows the fire has burned across about 1,800 acres, or less than 3 square miles. The initial estimate was about 3,000 acres, or nearly 5 square miles.

The agency said the fire was threatening sage grouse habitat, but no ranches. Human presence in the area is sparse.