[La Pine, Ore.] Firefighters were dispatched around 2:30 p.m.
today to a wildfire burning just north of La Pine, on private land in the Lazy
River Sub-division. The fire burned
through small timber, brush and grass. Observed
fire behavior included single tree and group tree torching as well as the fire spotting
ahead, causing rapid fire growth. The
fire was caught early this evening, using dozers and roads as firelines. Firefighters continue to work mopping-up
areas of heat and flame inside the fireline to limit potential of fire moving
outside the line or igniting unburned vegetation inside the perimeter. The fire was mapped at 11.9 acres.
Oregon Department of
Forestry (ODF) and LaPine Rural Fire Department are in Unified Command of the
fire. Resources involved in the
suppression effort included two structural task forces from Deschutes County,
eight wildland fire engines from Deschutes National Forest, Walker Range Fire
Patrol, and the Oregon Department of Forestry, Redmond Hot Shots, a hand crew
from ODF, Air Attack, miscellaneous overhead, and structural resources from La
Pine Rural Fire Department. A dozer from
Walker Range Fire Patrol was utilized for fireline construction.
The Deschutes County
Sheriff’s Office implemented Level 3 Evacuations (GO NOW) for areas near the
fire as well as road closures for public safety. These evacuations have since been reduced to
Level 1 (BE READY). One primary
structure was destroyed by the fire. The
cause of the fire is under investigation.
The extended forecast
for the remainder of the week through the weekend for central Oregon is for
warming temperatures and reduced humidity.
These unseasonably warm, dry conditions increase the risk of fire growth
at a more rapid rate than we have seen so far this spring. Fires should never be left unattended, this
includes burn barrels, debris burns, and campfires. If you burned earlier this spring revisit the
area and make sure the pile (or remnant) is cool to the touch. Have fire tools such as a shovel, hose, or
water bucket readily available near your fire.
Always fully extinguish any cigarettes and properly dispose of
butts. Use caution when welding or
cutting metal, or mowing dried vegetation.
Following these guidelines significantly reduces the potential of
accidental ignition or fire spread. Open
burning may be banned in some areas as this warm, dry weather passes
through. Check with your local fire
department or Oregon Department of Forestry before conducting debris burning.
For additional
information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information,
burn permit requests, and local Unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
