Crews get first dozer line around 6,500-acre Pine Fire SE of Pine Mountain, while ‘very active’ Little Lava Fire crosses lines
(Update: New mapped acreage reduces size; Little Lava Fire update)
Several smaller fires also stopped in C.O.; causes range from homeless camp smoker to burn barrel
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Firefighters on the ground helped by air support have established a preliminary bulldozer line around the Pine Fire, which new mapping Tuesday determined had burned 6,537 acres and held at 25% containment through the day, officials said.
"It's a full suppression fire," officials said in a brief update at midday Tuesday, "with multiple agencies responding," federal, state and local.
By nightfall, officials said, "Resources have established a preliminary dozer line around the fire and working to further bolster the perimeter to keep the fire in its current footprint. The fire has not had significant growth today, with most of the burning occurring within the interior of the existing footprint. Crews are constructing line directly adjacent to the fire’s edge where feasible."
Major power transmission lines in the area were turned off and power rerouted after the fire broke out, blackening the land beneath them. But officials said Tuesday night, "Coordination with power companies has been made and they are re-energizing large high-voltage power lines through the area."
In an update late Tuesday afternoon, officials said the fire was still at about the same size and the same 25% containment figure as hours earlier.
“Our multiple responding agencies have seen no significant growth today and are making good progress,” they said. “We’re seeing mostly interior burning.”
But the situation was far different to the west, as the Little Lava Fire, part of the month-old, more than 13,000-acre Bachelor Complex that was nearing two-thirds containment, blew up on Tuesday amid more dry fuels and gusty winds, showing “very active fire behavior,” Deschutes National Forest officials said Tuesday night.
"Initially, the fire was growing north, and then a wind shift pushed the fire east," the update stated. "The fire is established east of Forest Service Road 45 and south of Edison Butte Sno Park. When the winds shifted, the fire had grown far enough north that the fire was able to push up and around previously established containment lines.
"The area where the fire pushed north and then east was not safe for firefighters or equipment to engage directly," they added. "It’s very rocky terrain with numerous lava flows, making it inaccessible for heavy equipment and difficult to engage on foot. Tomorrow (Wednesday), firefighters plan to suppress the fire’s edge directly east of FSR 45, in coordination with dozers.
Earlier info:
The new Pine fire quickly raced across at least 2,000 acres by nightfall, prompting expanded Level 3 and 2 evacuation alerts for the area, and put up a bright glow visible for many miles through the night.
BLM Announces Emergency Closure Order for the Pine Fire
Bureau of Land Management Ore. & Wash. - 10/08/24 4:44 PM
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued an emergency temporary closure associated with the Pine Fire, on lands administered by the BLM in central Oregon.
This Emergency Closure Order will remain in effect until such time as conditions allow for safe use of the public lands. Access to the below described lands will remain restricted until further notice.
The following BLM-managed lands in Deschutes County are affect by this closure, including the South Millican Off Highway Vehicle area: T. 20 S., R. 15 E. (all); T. 20 S., R. 16 E. (south of Hwy 20); T. 20 S., R. 17 E. (south of Hwy 20); T. 21 S., R. 15, 16, 17 E. (all)
The signed closure order and map are available online at this link: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.
This order is effective immediately.
“We ask that the public to honor this closure, watch for fire vehicle activity on the roadways and be aware there may be significant activity on federal lands,” said Amanda Roberts, Prineville District Manager. “Our main goal is to keep the public, and everyone responding to the Pine Fire as safe as possible. We believe this closure order helps us achieve that goal.”
For more information on Oregon/Washington Fire Closures and Restrictions, please visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
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Meanwhile, warm, windy weather kicked up several existing blazes around the region on Monday, spreading more smoke across the High Desert.
Also on Monday, several fires of various causes were stopped at small sizes Monday by firefighters around the Bend-Redmond area.
Incident 1002, soon named the Pine Fire, was reported around 4 p.m. on Prineville District BLM land about 22 miles southeast of Bend, in the Kotzman Basin, and quickly put up major smoke visible across a wide area and in dramatic fashion from the AlertWest Pine Mountain camera.
Resources from the Central Oregon Fire Management Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Brothers-Hampton Rangeland Fire Protection Association and Alfalfa Fire District responded to the fire with several engines, a 10-person hand crew, two bulldozers and overhead resources. Firefighters on the ground were supported by aerial resources including an air attack, air tankers to drop retardant and a Type 1 helicopter to put water on the flames.
Around 8 p.m., officials confirmed in an update that the fire burning south of US Highway 20 was estimated at about 2,000 acres “and remains active on all sides. Additional resources are on order,” and crews will be working through the night, as the fire's nighttime glow can be seen for many miles, including in Prineville to the north.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
Pine Mountain might be best known for the University of Oregon-operated observatory at its summit. The facility is closed for the season, but its live camera had another view of the smoke coming from the nearby blaze.
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Deschutes County Sheriff's Office evacuation announcement:
Update: October 7, 2024 | 8:30 PM
Due to continued growth of the Pine Fire, additional evacuation areas have been identified:
Level 3: Go Now! - west of Moffitt Rd. south of Hwy. 20 to Fox Butte Rd.
Level 2: Be Set - south of Hwy 20, west of Fox Butte Rd. north of the National Forest, east of Pine Mountain Rd.
Additionally, Level 2: Be Set - South of Hwy 20, west of Frederick Butte Rd. east of Moffitt Rd.
Level 2: Means “BE SET” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
Level 3: Means “GO” evacuate now. Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.
Please go to www.deschutes.org/emergency for current information.
Avoid the area, be aware of emergency vehicles/personnel.
Evacuation zones map as of 8:30 p.m. Monday.:
Red is Level 3 GO NOW! Yellow is GET SET zones (purple is area closure to the south from the Flat Top, Firestone fires)
You can also track wildfire updates at the Watch Duty app.
Meanwhile, crews were pulled off the northern flank of the Little Lava Fire 15 miles southwest of Bend Sunday afternoon due to increased fire activity. Warm, dry conditions and gusty winds led to several spot fires on the east side of the Edison No. 3 Trail. Crews returned Sunday evening and worked to find and douse spot fires.
Smoke from the Little Lava Fire was very visible Monday from the Sunriver and La Pine areas as the fire kept growing to the region. As of Monday morning, the Bachelor Complex had burned nearly 13,000 acres and was 63% contained.
To the south, near Crescent Lake, stronger than expected winds on Sunday kicked up fire activity on the over 2,800-acre Red Fire, putting up more smoke, along with the neighboring 208 Fire. It’s 15% contained
To the east, the Rail Ridge Fire near Dayville also was actively burning on the northwest flank on Monday, though officials said it remained with containment lines. Plans to use tactical firing operations to finish burning five miles of prepared containment line were delayed due to the stepped-up fire activity and conditions.,
The largest new Bend-area blaze on Monday afternoon around 1:20 p.m. burned about two acres near the Murphy Road and Country Club Drive roundabout, Bend Fire Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said. It was traced to smoking materials at a homeless camp in the area.
In Tumalo, a small fire off Tweed Road that burned a 10-by-30 foot ara around 2:30 p.m. was traced to an electric gate controller, Kettering said.
She also advised that the fall burn season won’t open until there’s “meaningful rainfall,” as in several days’ worth.
In Redmond, a fire around noon off SE Evergreen Avenue was sparked from one power line touching another, sending sparks to the dry grass below. A fire off Crooked River Drive in the Terrebonne area was traced to an escaped burn barrel, Redmond Fire & Rescue Fire Marshal Tom Mooney said.
