FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jul. 09, 2024 at 9:25 p.m.
Contact: Stephanie Krell, Public Information Officer, 541-993-8173, [email protected] Andy Dwyer, Oregon Department of Forestry PIO trainee, 541-903-2069 [email protected]
The Dalles, Ore. – Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District, U.S. Forest Service, local fire districts and landowners have quickly responded to a wildfire near Friend, OR. Firefighters are under initial attack and will continue operations into the night. The fire is currently burning with moderate-to-high spread, estimated at 1500+ acres in grass and timber fuel types at this time. Containment is at 0%.
The Larch Creek Fire is located 5 miles southwest of Dufur, OR near Friend, OR. It is burning southeast of Winslow Road in Township 2S Range 13E, which is west of Highway 197.
Last reported resources: 8 engines, 20 person hand crew from USFS Mt Hood, 4 dozers, local landowner resources, and multiple air resources. A type 3 Central Oregon Fire Management Service team has been ordered and is in route.
With high temperatures, low humidity, and difficult terrain, suppression efforts are requiring diverse methods of attack, prioritizing safety while protecting life and structure foremost. Increased winds are playing a significant factor in fire behavior. No structures have been reported lost.
Evacuations: Level 3 – GO NOW – Evacuate from Clark Miller Road east to Elliott Rd., North to Kingley-Friend Market Rd., South to Badger Creek Rd. Level 2 – BE SET to evacuate from the following areas: Mc Corkle Rd south to Happy Ridge Rd, East to J Hix Rd, West to FS Rd 2700. Level 1 – BE READY in Tygh Valley, Pine Hollow, and Wamic. East of Elliott Rd to Hwy 197, South to Dufur Gap Rd and Kingsley Rd. East at Shadybrook Rd, West to Threemile Rd, North to Badger Creek Rd, South to White River Rd/Wamic Rd.
The Wasco County Fairgrounds is a temporarily designated evacuation point for livestock. A Red Cross Evacuation Shelter is opened at Maupin High School.
https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff or the Wasco County Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wascocounty/
The fire started sometime around 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 09, 2024. The cause is under investigation.
