Sheriff, DA still investigating human-caused Larch Creek Fire near Tygh Valley

Ongoing Investigation on what occurred and who is responsible can be “tedious and complex, requiring meticulous attention to detail, and often take a long time to complete.”

Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill

From Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill:

We have now surpassed two weeks since Larch Creek Fire started. There have been many inquiries into more information regarding the start of the Larch Creek Fire and what is happening with the investigation.

The fire, while over 80 percent contained, is still active and a criminal investigation is ongoing. The fire was determined to be human-caused very early in the investigation, but details beyond this are still being verified.

The investigation is being led by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) wildfire investigators. The United States Forest Service and the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office are assisting. These investigations can be tedious and complex, requiring meticulous attention to detail, and often take a long time to complete.

The Sheriff’s Office has been proactively assessing the situation with the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office as information has become available. At the completion of the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office and the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office will review the findings and determine whether or not and what criminal charges will be filed.

From Tom Peterson:

According to the last update on July 21 from the ODF, the fire was estimated at more than 18,000 acres and the cost to fight it had exceeded $15 million.

“We are happy to report that all remaining evacuations have been dropped. Thank you to all of the agencies that have helped on this fire and to the community for your support in this effort,” The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office posted on July 22.

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