Larch Creek Fire burning near Friend can be seen From The Dalles; Evacuation called
From Wasco County Sheriff’s Office:
LEVEL 3 GO NOW - From Clark Miller Road east to J Hix Rd, North to Kingley-Friend Market Rd., South to Postage Stamp Rd.
From Wasco County Sheriff’s Office - map area in light brown indicates a Go Now Evacuation. Click image to enlarge it.
LEVEL 2 GET SET - 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, Wamic & Pine Hollow
The Wasco County Fairgrounds is a temporary designated evacuation point for people and livestock.
The Larch Creek Fire is an active incident near Friend on Winslow Road. Please stay away from the area and keep roadways clear so crews can respond. Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Dufur Volunteer Fire and Ambulance, Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District, Wamic Rural Fire Protection District and Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District are responding. No evacuations are ordered at this time.
Photo Courtesy Wasco County Sheriff’s Office
From Columbia Gorge Wildland Fire Information Page:
LOCATION: Northeast of Friend, OR
GPS: 45.372972, -121.232139 / FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL: HIGH / RED FLAG WARNING
Updates:
5:23pm Fire is reported by residents to be moving down a canyon from Friend. Some fire crews were cut off from IC at the Friend School because the fire crossed the road. The road is currently still closed.
5:05pm FireBosses planes report having to abort dips due to boats on the river in the way. Currently 2 FireBosses are back in at Dallesport Airport refueling.
4:59pm Residents in The Dalles and Hood River are reporting they can see the fire plume now.
4:53pm Fire crews report smoke and wind are blowing towards Tygh Valley / Hwy. 197. If anyone is traveling in this area, please exercise caution and be extra vigilant as fire crews may be moving around in this area under decreased visibility.
4:51pm Fire size updated to 100 acres.
4:41pm All HRC units (strike team) are enroute CD3 due to structure risk.
4:39pm Hood River County units are meeting Crew 24 at the 197/84 intersection (Auction Yard) to travel out to fire together.
4:25pm Friend School is designated as Command Staging Center.
4:21pm MCF&R Crew 24 headed to fire with Type 6.
4:20pm Staging taking place on Winslow Road for immediate need.
4:18pm Hood River Fire assistance requested for strike team.
4:07pm ODF is asking for additional fire resources for potential structure protection.
3:55pm FireBosses 207 and 210 are joining 231 and 232.
Map showing the loation of Friend Oregon.
3:44pm Fire size is now 60 acres. It grew from 20 AC at 3:00pm to 60 AC in 40 minutes.
3:13pm Tankers 160, 180, and N40SM are making water drops on the fire; fire is heavy, starting to get into fine fuels.
2:49pm Helicopter just passing to west of Dufur.
2:45pm Bucket helicopter (N117DR) now airborne from Dallesport and enroute.
2:33pm Head of fire is on SW side; 2 dozers enroute.
2:01pm Fire moving south. Encountering different fuel types now. Firebosses are getting water from Columbia River so all river users should stay away from The Dalles Marina.
1:53pm Fire is continuing to build.
1:46pm Firebosses passing west of Dufur. Fire is now spotting ahead of itself.
1:40pm Firebosses airborne.
1:37pm Firebosses 232 and 231 preparing for takeoff from Dallesport Airport.
1:30pm Tygh Valley and Wamic toned out for mutual aid. Fire is building head cloud now.
1:29pm Dufur toned out for mutual aid.
1:19pm Fire bosses and helicopter air support called in.
1:18pm Crews trying to pinpoint exact location.
1:16pm ODF not on scene yet; dark black smoke reported.
