Highway 97 closed south of La Pine as Jackpine Fire grows to 65 acres, evening cooldown helps crews; Level 2 alert in place
(Update: Jackpine Fire 65 acres, cooler conditions help crews building lines)
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A wildfire reported early Friday afternoon off Masten Road south of La Pine brought in crews from numerous agencies for an air and ground attack, prompting a Level 1 BE READY evacuation notice, then a wider Level 2 BE SET alert, surging to 65 acres by nightfall and closing U.S. Highway 97.
"Firefighters are making good progress constructing dozer line around the perimeter of the fire. Resources will work on the Jackpine Fire throughout the night," officials said in a 9:40 p.m. update
Incident 465, later named the Jackpine Fire, was reported around 12:30 p.m. south of Masten Road, east of Deer Forest Drive and west of Jackpine Loop, about 1 1/2 miles southwest of La Pine, Central Oregon fire officials said in their X/Twitter feed.
Officials said around 6:25 p.m. that the fire was estimated at 50 acres "with active fire behavior" and back down from 30% to 0% containment.
ODOT TripCheck showed Highway 97 had been closed near milepost 169, a mile north of the intersection with Oregon Highway 31. The agency said a four-mile stretch of the highway was closed, between mileposts 169 and 173.
"Delay your travel or use alternate route," they said. "Use caution; watch for crews working in the area."
Crews from the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District, Sunriver Fire, the Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry and Walker Range Fire Patrol were called initially to the scene in the early afternoon for joint efforts to stop and put out the blaze. La Pine Fire Chief Erick Holsey said the first crews arrived to find single-tree torching and spot fires.
By 2 p.m., the fire was about 5% contained and a bulldozer was putting in control lines, Holsey said.
Homes on Deer Forest and an adjacent ranch were first put on a Level 1 evacuation notice, the fire chief said, adding that the fire's cause was under investigation.
Around 3 p.m., after the fire flared up again and jumped Jackpine Loop, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 2 BE SET alert for all residents west of Highway 97 and south of Masten Road to the Deschutes/Klamath County line. The latest map can be seen at http://www.deschutes.org/emergency.
Responding resources included engines, bulldozers, 10-person hand crews and overhead personnel from the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District and neighboring fire departments, the Oregon Department of Forestry, Walker Range Fire Patrol, BLM and Forest Service. Firefighters on the ground were supported by air attack, air tankers and helicopters.
Firefighters engaged in dozer line construction throughout the afternoon while using aircraft to slow the fire's spread. Fire behavior was active during the afternoon’s high temperatures.
"At this time, fire activity has moderated with the cooler evening temperatures," officials said in a 9:30 p.m. update. "Firefighters are making good progress on constructing dozer line around the perimeter of the fire. The fire remains on the west side of Highway 97 at this time. Resources will continue working on the Jackpine Fire throughout the night."
Holsey had said in a 5:30 p.m. update the fire was 30% contained (later dropped to zero). They had moved to a second alarm for structural protection,, bringing in two task forces from resources around the county, and the Level 2 evacuation notice was still in effect.
Central Oregon fire officials said shortly before 6 p.m. the fire had grown to an estimated 20 acres, and later to 50 acres, burning on Prineville District BLM and private lands.
"Firefighters on the ground continue to use helicopters and air tankers to slow the fire's spread while they work on constructing dozer line around the perimeter of the fire," they said.
To the south, the Klamath County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 1 BE READY evacuation notice for both sides of Highway 97 south of the county line, including Antilope Meadow and Long Prairie.
