Last fire evacuation notices lifted at Eagle Crest Resort

Firefighters made good progress and completed mop-up Sunday of a wildfire that began in the Deschutes River Canyon and moved uphill toward homes and condominiums at Eagle Crest Resort, forcing evacuations, officials said.

As a result, the final Level 1 “pre-evacuation” notices were allowed to expire at 8 p.m. Sunday, said Deschutes County sheriff’s Sgt. Nathan Garibay, the county’s emergency services manager.

“The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Redmond Fire and Rescue appreciate the support and patience of the community,” Garibay said, adding that he cause of the fire was still under investigation.

Ten homes and dozens of condos at the resort evacuated Saturday afternoon due to the Eagle Crest Fire, which broke out in the Deschutes River Canyon near Cline Falls State Park, which also was closed for a time but has since reopened.

Thanks to an air and ground attack on the flames, enough progress was made that most evacuation notices were lifted before nightfall Saturday, as crews kept working to strengthen containment lines and put out any hot spots.

Deschutes County 911 received a report around 2:30 p.m. of a brushfire in the area of Cline Falls State Park, off Highway 126, said Garibay said earlier.

Redmond Fire and Rescue and sheriff’s deputies responded, finding a fire on resort property across the river from Cline Falls State Park, “growing rapidly up-slope toward homes and condominiums,” Garibay said.

Initial, unconfirmed scanner reports indicated a power line transformer blew and may have started the fire, which Garibay said Saturday night had been mapped at about 5 1/2 acres.

Sheriff’s deputies evacuated 10 single-family homes and 67 condominium units as the fire threatened. Around 9 p.m., Garibay said only residents on Thunderbird Court were under a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice. That street also was the only one still closed, except for residents and emergency vehicles.

Garibay said citizens can call 541-550-4850 for updates.

Several people have posted photos or information online in the area where the fire started. Garibay asked anyone with information to share to contact dispatchers at 541-693-6911 and ask to speak to deputies or Redmond fire officials.

The fire brought out Redmond fire crews at first and then resources from the BLM, Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry to assist. A structural protection task force of other area fire departments was called in to help protect homes in the resort community above the canyon.

The Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center responded under a mutual-aid agreement with Redmond Fire, sending engines, two helicopters and two single-engine air tankers (SEAT planes), Forest Service spokesman Patrick Lair said.

The sheriff’s office used its automated emergency phone notification system and went door to door, issuing a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation of the state park and the northeast corner of Eagle Crest — all areas north of Falcon Crest Drive, including Thunderbird Court, Blue Heron Drive and Swallow Lane.

Part of the Eagle Crest golf course also was closed as two helicopters began dipping for water to pour on the flames.

Evacuees were asked to report to the Eagle Crest Hotel and Conference Center.