Fire by North Twin Lake stopped at 11 acres, now fully contained; evacuated campground to stay closed this week
(Update: Fire 100% contained; campground to remain closed for fire crews' work)
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A wildfire reported late Saturday afternoon near North Twin Lake, prompting the campground’s evacuation, has been fully contained at 11 acres, but the campground will stay closed at least until Friday for more firefighting work, officials said Monday.
Fire officials said the campground remained closed Monday while firefighters continued work to repair lines on the North Twin Fire. The Deschutes National Forest said the campground remains closed for fire suppression activities related to the blaze.
The fire broke out amid more hot, windy conditions and quickly grew to an estimated 10 acres before forward progress was stopped.
The North Twin Fire was reported around 4:45 p.m. Saturday and initially estimated at three acres, growing to 10 acres by 6:30 p.m., according to Central Oregon fire officials. They saidForest Service law enforcement and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies had evacuated the campground.
“Please stay out of the area,” an initial alert advised.
Fire officials said helicopters used North Twin Lake as a dip site to pour water on the blaze, assisting firefighters on the ground.
Around 9:30 p.m., Central Oregon fire officials reported that forward progress of the fire was stopped at 11 acres. They said crews, engines and a bulldozer would remain on scene, building containment lines through the night.
North Twin Campground remained closed, along with Forest Service Road 4263; FS Road 4260 reopened.
Steven Bucholtz, at the lake with family and friends, didn’t wait for officials to evacuate, as they spotted the fire early on.
“We left as soon as we saw flames heading up the trees,” Bucholtz said.
He said he was getting out of the water and taking a picture of a friend’s baby “and didn’t notice the smoke behind the baby” until he looked at the photo.
Bucholtz said the wind was kicking up. “The kids were trying to kayak, and the wind was blowing them back to shore,” he said.
Redmond Airport reported a 103-degree high on Saturday, breaking the old July 13th record of 102 degrees, set in 2002. Winds at 6 p.m. at Redmond Airport were 16 mph out of the northwest, gusting to 22 mph.
