‘It’s almost vigilante justice:’ La Pine residents voice frustrations following post-Darlene 3 Fire community meeting

(Update: Adding video, comments from community member)

LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Organizers with the Newberry Regional Partnership met with a packed room of more than 100 La Pine community members Monday night to discuss possible solutions to the growing homelessness problem in the area and the risk of wildfires it poses.

The "Darlene 3 - Seeking Solutions" community meal and meeting took place at the La Pine Activity Center, to discuss the roles various agencies take to prevent wildfires and share ideas and suggestions.

Many area residents believe the recent Darlene 3 Fire that burned close to 4,000 acres was caused by homeless living on nearby BLM land, though authorities have not specified the cause, only saying it was human-caused.

"La Pine needs to be plugged in, La pine needs to be considered, and La Pine needs attention," said Becca Rohleder, the manager at La Pine's St Vincent de Paul. And she says the meeting did not result in answers.

"I don't think anyone was reassured of anything last night, first of all, because there was no resolution. In fact, I think in many instances it might have created greater animosity," she said.

The Darlene 3 Fire ignited in June, costing $3 million to put out.

"We're just putting Band-Aids on situations," Rohleder said. "You know, ultimately people need to be removed. Those that want to be rehabilitated, they need to have the resources to allow them the opportunity."

BLM does have a 14-day camping limit, and has officers to enforce rules. Those who don't leave are arrested and charged by a federal magistrate. Deschutes County's camping regulations only allow three days of camping before people have to move on.

Deschutes County sheriff's deputies told community members that two deputies monitor county land and have provided fire extinguishers to the homeless.

Rohleder says she fears if the issues aren't addressed soon, some in the community will choose to solve it themselves. 

"We're getting to the point where it's almost vigilante justice," she said. "It has to stop. It has to. Otherwise, there will be a Darlene 4 (fire). Is it going to take the cost of human lives to initiate action?"

We spoke with Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone, who attended the meeting. He said it went well, but that the crisis needs to be solved at the federal level.