Firefighters hold line on Larch Creek Fire on Sunday; Containment at 10 percent
Firefighter spraying down the line on July 14. Photo Credit: OSFM Task Force
From the Oregon Department of Forestry and State Fire Marshal:
Dufur, Ore., July 14, 2024 — Firefighters worked to hold the fire within existing lines during Sunday’s critical fire weather conditions at the Larch Creek Fire burning near Tygh Valley.
Winds are forecasted today, July 15, to come from the northwest at 6 to 14 mph with gusts up to 20 mph, according to the National Weather Service. They are then predicted to subside to below 10 mph for the next few days, reducing the risk of the fire spreading - Tom Peterson.
On Sunday, Increased winds on the western perimeter resulted in several spot fires starting outside the line. Fire Managers had firefighters ready to respond and as of this update the lines around the spot fires are holding.
High winds and low relative humidity were expected to continue into the night. Firefighters were set to patrol for new fire activity and remain ready to respond. Structure protection for affected communities is planned to continue through today, with a goal of removing fuels away from structures.
Photo courtesy Wasco County Sheriff’s Office. Helicopters with buckets work to douse hotspots in the shadow of Mount Hood on Sunday, July 14.
There is an air quality advisory in effect today until noon. Those impacted may want to close windows when the smoke trends tend to be the highest. For current and forecasted air quality as well as a map of smoke impacts, visit: airnow.gov.
Weather forecasting shows a 30% chance of thunderstorms on the morning of Wednesday, July 16. This could bring additional fire ignitions in the greater area.
Precautions should be taken to prevent the start of additional fires. Fire restrictions are in effect for ODF and USFS jurisdictions.
Evacuations remain in effect and levels did not change today. Evacuation information is available here.
Evacuation shelters: Two shelters are available at South Wasco County High School (699 4th St in Maupin) and Wy'East Middle School (3000 Wy'East Rd, Hood River). Residents evacuating from Pine Hollow, Wamic, and Sportsman’s Park should travel to the west and use the shelter at Wy’East Middle School. The livestock shelter is located adjacent to the Wy’East Middle School at the Hood River Fairgrounds (3020 Wy'East Rd, Hood River).
Evacuations
LEVEL 3 - GO NOW: from Friend Rd in the north down to Rock Creek Dam Rd./Wamic Market Rd. in the south. Tygh Valley Rd. and the White River in the south to Hulse Rd. in the north. Threemile Rd from the west to the Deschutes River on the east.
LEVEL 2- BE SET: From the intersection of Rock Creek Dam Rd. and Threemile Rd. north to Dodson Rd., west to Gate Creek, south to the White River, east to the boundary of the city of Tygh Valley south to Val Miller Rd./Juniper Flat Rd./Oak Springs Rd., and east to the Deschutes River. From the intersection of Tygh Valley Market Rd and Hwy 197 south to Hulse Rd, east to the Deschutes River, and from the intersection of Hwy 197 and Tygh Valley Market Rd, southeast to the Deschutes River.
LEVEL 1 - BE READY: from Elliott Rd. east to Hwy 197, south to the intersection of Hwy 197 and Dufur Gap Rd., and due west to Elliott Rd. High-power electrical transmission lines were threatened due to fire. Hwy 216 East remains closed between milepost 1 and 4.
Fire At A Glance:
Estimated Size: 18,486 acres
Containment: 10%
Cause: Human Caused
Estimated Cost: $8,500,000
Total Personnel: 982
Hand Crews: 27 - apprx. 20 each
Engines: 71
Water Tenders: 20
Dozers: 13
Helicopters: 11
Larch Creek Firefighter Camp on Sunday, July 14. Credit: Andy Dwyer, ODF
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