The smoke plume from the Draw Fire as seen from the air on June 6, 2016.
© South Central Oregon Fire Management PartnershipThe smoke plume from the Draw Fire as seen from the air on June 6, 2016.
Wildfires sparked by lightning Sunday continue to burn in southeast and south central Oregon as firefighters faced unfavorable hot and windy weather conditions.

The Owyhee Canyon Fire south of Jordan Valley has burned over 20,500 acres, according to fire officials. The fire is 50 percent contained, but the weather forecast could be a problem.

"Wind and lightning are expected today and could frustrate suppression and containment efforts," fire managers said in a report Tuesday morning.

Twenty miles northeast of Chiloquin in south central Oregon, fire crews are working the 500 acre Draw Fire. It's the largest of about 7 fires sparked by lightning there on Sunday. The other blazes were kept to 3 1/2 acres or smaller, the USDA Forest Service said.

"It started in a steep draw and moved quickly uphill into thick lodgepole and Ponderosa pine," said Jim Hampton, Fire Management Officer for the Chiloquin Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

The fire was considered 20 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, although the fire was "spotting" ahead of the fire line. Spotting occurs when wind carries burning embers over a fire line and ignites fire outside the containment perimeter.

"Significant wind yesterday contributed to the rapid growth of the fire. The winds pushed the Draw Fire to the southwest and in the evening hours made a 90 degree shift driving the fire to the south," fire managers reported at 9 a.m. Tuesday. "At times winds reached 55 miles per hour causing fire to spot out to 200-300 yards. Crews worked all day and through the night to create a fuel break around the fire. There is currently a dozer line around the fire, however, it is continuing to spot outside of these lines."

Weather is anticipated to be a problem again Tuesday.

"The fire is wind driven, with hot, dry conditions continuing today," fire managers reported.

People in communities closest to the fire may see smoke at times.

"Smoke may be visible and heavy at times in the areas around Chiloquin and Klamath Marsh," fire managers reported. "We urge the public to drive cautiously as there may be dust and smoke along Hwy 97 and within the FS Road 48 area."

Both fires were ignited by lightning on Sunday, June 5.