Darlene 3 Fire containment grows amid cooler, calmer weather; some evacuees, firefighters head home; no homes lost
(Update: Info from Friday afternoon update)
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Firefighters on the 3-day-old Darlene 3 Fire southeast of La Pine lined have been making more steady progress amid cooler, calmer weather and have reached 42% containment, officials said morning. The reduced risk has lowered some areas, including Newberry Estates, from Level 3 GO NOW evacuation to Level 2 BE SET.
"Cooler temperatures and calmer winds during the day on Thursday allowed crews to increase containment lines with the help of dozers and retardant drops," Friday's update stated.
"Some spotting occurred yesterday (Thursday) to the east, but crews continue to aggressively seek and suppress any spot fires beyond the current containment lines.
"Crews have established patrols around the entire perimeter of the fire and will take advantage of the cooler, calmer weather over the next two days to harden containment lines and reduce the risk of flare ups within the burn footprint.
"Teams have been successful in protecting key community assets, including the La Pine Community Cemetery off Reed Road, power lines, a cell tower and the city’s water supply. Due to decreased fire threat to the community, fire managers were able to release some of the OSFM structural protection task forces to their home agencies."
The fire's incident management teams held a "virtual community meeting" for an update late Friday afternoom, streaming live followed by an available recording at https://www.facebook.com/DeschutesCountySheriff.
Incident Commander Ian Yocum told those watching he was pleased to report that "we did not lose one home or resident on this fire." He said so much progress has been made, with control lines around the fire perimeter, the regional task forces called in by the Oregon State Fire Marshal get to go home Saturday.
About 1,500 homes had been in the Level 3 or 2 evacuation area, along with critical infrastructure, including cell and communications towers that crews protected, as well as a community cemetery.
Here's the noon Friday update from Deschutes County Sheriff's Office emergency managers:
After consultation with fire managers, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is lowering some evacuation levels. These levels may change again as conditions change. Residents should remain vigilant and stay informed about changing conditions.
The Newberry Estates subdivision has been reduced from Level 3: Go Now to Level 2: Be Set. Residents should understand there is still risk and they should be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
The residential area immediately north of Burgess Road and east of the Little Deschutes River has been reduced from Level 1: Be Ready to no evacuation notice.
All other areas under various evacuation notices have remained unchanged.
Updated maps and information can be found at www.deschutes.org/emergency.
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Earlier info:
Wednesday's wind-driven new growth to the east increased the fire's size to 3,889 acres, officials said Thursday. Emergency managers also adjusted the evacuation zones, reducing some from Level 3 to Level 2.
Asked Thursday about the fire investigation, the Central Oregon Fire Management Service told NewsChannel 21, "The cause of the fire remains under investigation. We do know it was human-caused (there has been no recent lightning). Federal, state and county law enforcement agencies are actively involved in that investigation and information will be released as it is available."
Thursday evening, amid concerns raised by area residents, fire officials said "the La Pine Community Cemetery has not been impacted" by the fire. "Crews worked hard during initial attack on Tuesday to build the line off Reed Rd to protect it and other assets to the north."
Here's the full Thursday morning update from fire officials:
Darlene 3 Fire | June 27, 2024
After a day of heavy fire activity, firefighters worked through the night on the Darlene 3 Fire to conduct firing operations and complete containment lines. The Central Oregon Type 3 team remains in unified command with Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Red Team.
The fire is currently 3,889 acres and 30% contained. Winds and warm temperatures yesterday (Wednesday) resulted in spotting beyond the fire perimeter, causing the fire to expand east into the Deschutes National Forest. The fire burned into several fuels treatment areas that had been previously completed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, which did allow for moderated fire activity.
Wednesday night, firefighters were successful in finishing containment lines and completing firing operations. Today’s focus will be to strengthen the existing lines with dozers, hand crews and engines while the temperatures and wind are favorable. An informational community meeting will be held virtually Friday evening – more details will be forthcoming.
Since the fire began early Tuesday afternoon, structural and wildland resources have continued to arrive at the Incident Command Post in La Pine to support the fire, bringing the incident personnel total to 335. There are currently 38 engines, 5 hand crews, 8 water tenders, and multiple dozers and aircraft dedicated to fire suppression.
Six task forces of structural firefighters are still actively working to protect structures and conduct mop-up around homes and infrastructure. Fire officials are grateful to members of the community for their willingness to follow evacuation orders and help keep firefighters safe on the roads by driving responsibly.
For the most up-to-date official evacuation information, please visit Deschutes County evacuation information: www.deschutes.org/emergency.
The Red Cross is staffing the evacuation shelter at La Pine High School (51633 Coach Rd.). The La Pine Activity Center (16450 Victory Way) is open for RVs to park and has meals for evacuees and N95 masks for those impacted by smoke. The La Pine Rodeo Grounds is accepting livestock and companion animals in coordination with the Pet Evacuation Team. Bend Pet Resort (60909 SE 27th St., Bend), is accepting cats and dogs and can be reached by calling 458-666-7505.
Air quality information can be found at aqi.oregon.gov or by downloading the OregonAir app on their Apple or Android phone.
Some recreation areas in Deschutes National Forest remain closed, including 6 Mile Sno Park, Prairie Campground, McKay Crossing Campground, Ogden Group Campground, & the Rosland OHV play area & associated. The Prineville District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has also issued an Emergency Public Land Closure. The closure includes all BLM-administered lands within National Forest Road 180 on the south, Highway 97 on the west, Paulina Lake Road on the north, and the Deschutes National Forest Boundary on the east. This closure notice is available online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.
FEMA fulfilled the state of Oregon’s request and has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs on the incident through an FMAG (Fire Management Assistance Grant) declaration. This declaration also paves the way for local agencies to pursue additional post-fire mitigation funds.
For current wildfire updates and community meeting details, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X (Twitter) @CentralORFire. Community members and media can also call the Central Oregon Fire Info phone line: 541.316.7711.
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Wednesday night, crews "successfully lined and completed firing operations on the new growth to the east," officials said in Thursday's earlier update.
The that broke out Tuesday afternoon southeast of La Pine has prompted a major air and ground attack, hundreds of evacuations and a Conflagration Act call-up of six task forces from around the region and state.
"The predicted westerly winds have pushed the fire east toward Finley Butte," a Wednesday evening update said. "Air and ground resources are engaged and heavy equipment continue to arrive to aid in the efforts."
The cause of the blaze that put up tall, surging plumes of smoke for hours Tuesday “is actively being investigated,” officials said.
Firefighters worked through the night for a second night to establish control lines around the fire perimeter.
Winds and warm temperatures tested those lines and pushed the blaze east, prompting burnout operations along two roads to stop its advance, as fire officials explain in Thursday's video update:.
"Fire investigators are actively investigating this fire," officials said. "As we move into the dry summer months here in Central Oregon, it is imperative for our community and visitors to be vigilant about fire safety. Please be aware of and check with local land management agencies for current fire restrictions as we move into a high fire danger level across Central Oregon."
The Central Oregon Type 3 team with Incident Commander Vince Grace took command of the Darlene 3 Fire Wednesday morning, in unified command with Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Team, Incident Commander Ian Yocum.
Structure and wildland resources continue to arrive at the Incident Command Post in La Pine to support the fire. Six task forces of structural firefighters will be actively working to prep and protect structures. These include the eastside of the City of La Pine, Newberry Estates, as well as nearby water and power infrastructure.
Darlene 3 Fire Public Information Officer Stacey Long said Wednesday, "Task force OSFM have been out with our communities and in the areas where the homes are, making sure that they're protected as needed."
On Wednesday morning, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 1 BE READY evacuation notice for the area west of Highway 97 north of Burgess Road, east of the Little Deschutes River and south of Riverview Drive.
Also, Forest Service land on the eastern side of the fire that was previously at LEVEL 2 BE SET was upgraded to LEVEL 3 GO NOW. The area on the north side of Paulina Lake Highway remained at LEVEL 2 BE SET.
"We'll continue to order resources as needed," Long told NewsChannel 21. "We have our great team out there right now, our operations folks are out there seeing if they have what we need to keep it in its footprint today."
The fire was reported around 1 p.m. Tuesday near Darlene Way on the southeast outskirts of La Pine and quickly put up huge, billowing smoke plumes as it raced across 1,700 acres by nightfall, prompting a rapidly changing mix of, Level 3 GO NOW evacuations and Level 2 BE SET alerts, public land closures and a power shutoff in the area.
NewsChannel 21 obtained what a neighbor said is footage of a homeless camp on fire in the area Tuesday around the time the fire was reported.
Central Oregon fire dispatch first reported around 1:15 p.m. that Incident 289 was burning a mile southeast of La Pine, on the east side of Darlene Way near Finley Butte Road. The fire was initially estimated at 3-5 acres and officials said four engines, a bulldozer, a crew and several air resources were responding. The cause was under investigation.
By 2:15 p.m., the fire was estimated at 15 acres and spreading to the northeast, with more air and ground resources ordered in. Before 3 p.m. came word the newly named Darlene 3 Fire had grown to about 50 acres as the air and ground battle was fully underway
Three local task forces made up of firefighters from numerous agencies rushed to help tackle the blaze as new spot fires were reported and an unconfirmed scanner report the blaze had jumped to the north side Finley Butte Road around 2:10 p.m. The later focus was on stopping the fire as it moved toward Reed Road.
Shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, Deschutes Alert sent out a wildfire evacuation notice – ‘Level 3 – GO NOW!’ The area covered by the evacuation notice is east of the railroad tracks, near Darlene Way and Ice Cave Road. Around 2:30 p.m. emergency managers added a Level 2 "GET SET" evacuation notice for areas east of Highway 97 and south of Rosland Pit.
The sheriff's office urged that people continue to visit deschutes.org/emergency for the most up-to-date evacuation levels.
The DCSO said Tuesday night the American Red Cross is staffing the evacuation shelter at La Pine High School (51633 Coach Rd.) with additional support from the Deschutes County Medical Reserve Corps.
The La Pine Activity Center (16450 Victory Way) is open for RVs to park and has space for animals.
The La Pine Rodeo Grounds is accepting livestock and companion animals in coordination with the Pet Evacuation Team.
Bend Pet Resort (60909 SE 27th St., Bend), is accepting cats and dogs and can be reached by calling 458-666-7505.
Jodi Kerr was packing up her home decor and gifts store in La Pine so she could evacuate, The Associated Press reported.
“It’s part of the risk of living in an area like this. It’s beautiful, but it’s wild,” said Kerr, the owner of Meandering Maker Mercantile.
She said it’s hard to think about the people who’ve spent years building businesses and then be concerned about losing it all overnight.
The Forest Service said McKay Crossing Campground, Prairie Campground, Ogden Group Camp and the Rosland OHV play area and associated trails on the Deschutes National Forest were evacuated and closed. Six Mile Sno-Park also was closed Wednesday due to the fire.
Midstate Electric Cooperative told Newberry Estates residents around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday it was "highly probable" they would have to enact a Public Safety Power Shutoff in the area. Twenty minutes earlier, they posted that the fire was moving in the direction of the area's Bonneville Power Administration substation.
At 5:30 p.m., the cooperative said power was out "in various areas of our service territory" - their outage map for a time showed just over 2,000 members without power.
Midstate Communications Manager Sina Streeter said Wednesday morning there were still "a few services in the Finley Butte area" that were out.
"We are waiting for access to the burn area to complete assessments of affected equipment," she said, adding that "all critical infrastructure is operational at this time."
Midstate had this message for members Wednesday evening on their Facebook page:
"Due to the ongoing Darlene Fire activity and adverse weather conditions, we have placed our distribution system on our most sensitive settings. If a power outage occurs while the system is in wildfire mitigation settings, all of the affected lines are required to be inspected before power can be restored, resulting in longer restoration times. The safety of the public and our membership is a top priority. With evacuation notices in place, please take the necessary precautions to keep you and your family safe. We’ll keep you updated as the situation evolves."
The Prineville District Bureau of Land Management also issued an Emergency Public Land Closure on Tuesday. The closure included all BLM-administered lands within an area bounded by Forest Service Road 180 on the south, Highway 97 on the west, Paulina Lake Road on the north, and the Deschutes National Forest Boundary on the east.
"This closure is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such a time as conditions allow for safe use of the public lands."
The fire's name - Darlene 3 - points to a history of wildfires in the area. In mid-July of 2021, the Darlene Fire burned nearly 700 acres before it was contained and destroyed two homes.
