DCSO lowers Elk Lake, Lava Lake evacuation levels
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced reduced evacuation levels for the Elk and Lava Lake areas on Thursday.
Here’s the announcement from Sgt. Nathan Garibay, the county’s emergency services manager:
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has continued to coordinate with fire managers on the Nash Fire as well as the Deschutes National Forest. Due to current and expected conditions on the Nash Fire, we are lowering evacuation levels as follows:
Level 2 (Set) to Level 1 (Ready):
Areas surrounding Elk Lake and Hosmer Lake including: Elk Lake Resort, Elk Lake Cabins, Elk Lake CG, Point CG, Little Fawn CG, Mallard Marsh CG, Sunset View Day Use Area, Beach Day Use Area, and Quinn Meadows Horse Camp.
Level 1: Means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
The following areas are no longer under any evacuation notices:
Areas surrounding Lava Lake including: Areas surrounding Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake including: Lava Lake Resort, Lave Lake CG, and Little Lava Lake CG
This does not affect any area closures implemented by the Deschutes National Forest.
Current maps including evacuation areas can be found at:
The Sheriff’s Office will continue to coordinate with the United States Forest Service and the incident management team assigned to the fire.
The 6,680-acre Nash Fire, managed as part of the Horse Creek Complex, was ignited more than a month ago, and remains about four miles from Elk Lake.
As fuel breaks are built along the Cascade Lakes Highway, a pilot car will begin operating Friday morning, guiding traffic past crews and heavy equipment in the area.
The work is taking place between Quinn Meadows Horse Camp and the South Beach access turnoff from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Officials say the public should expect sporadic travel delays, smoke limiting visibility and increased heavy equipment traffic.
